On Tuesday, Jan. 7 Katie Jo Childs, a former property manager for Re/Max Bridge Reality was arrested and booked into Carbon County Jail for investigation of theft and communications fraud. Childs, age 43 is accused of stealing over $200,000 in rent money from the tenants she oversaw by advising them to pay her directly.

Within Utah, communications fraud over $5000 and theft over $5000 are classified as second-degree felonies. 

According to a police booking affidavit, the Price City Police Department was contacted by administrators from Re/Max Bridge Reality alleging that during a review of property logs, “several properties that were delinquent on rent to the point that Bridge Realty would be seeking eviction,” with some tenants being several months behind on payments.

When administrators asked these tenants about their delinquency, they were able to provide receipts of either cash payments or payments made through financial apps directly to Childs. The affidavit continues,” In some cases, tenants also provided screenshots of text conversations with Childs where she provided them with the links to the mobile applications where she directed tenants to pay her via those means.”

This led to an internal review by the company, where they were able to locate discrepancies in lease signings and move-in dates,” “It was discovered they had moved in on or near the date the lease was signed and paid Childs a security deposit and first-month rent whether in cash or via a mobile application,” with the affidavit adding,” None of those funds were ever listed properly through Bridge Reality and the rental account did not reflect the actual move-in date or money being received for this time period.”

It was also discovered that as these tenants paid rent directly to Childs, they also,” paid Childs for construction and improvements on properties that were either never completed or the contractors were never paid.”

Childs was never authorized by Bridge Reality to collect payments or rent.

According to the affidavit,” Bridge Realty reported nearly 50 properties from throughout Carbon County being affected by this and provided a detailed accounting of funds that were missing or unaccounted for due to the actions of Childs. The total loss associated with Childs’s actions is listed to exceed $220,000.”

Currently, no court date is scheduled for Childs.