LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin said his office was involved in the arrest of three people in separate incidents related to Medicaid fraud and elder abuse.

Thursday’s announcement said 34-year-old Hanna Christmas of Hamburg, 28-year-old Ja’Layia J. McClendon of North Little Rock and 28-year-old Trey Franks of Jacksonville are facing charges following a Medicaid Fraud Control Unit investigation.

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The statement stated that Christmas surrendered to authorities on October 31 and faces charges of Medicaid fraud. Authorities said he billed Deermott, Hamburg and Lakeside school districts $5,490.72 for physical therapy services he never provided. Authorities added that they booked Christmas into the Pulaski County Detention Facility in exchange for a $2,500 bail.

McClendon turned himself in to authorities on Oct. 31 and faces a charge of gross abuse of an endangered or disabled person, authorities said. They added that two witnesses saw McClendon hit an 82-year-old woman at a Little Rock assisted living facility, leaving bruises on her face and forearm, and that the woman had Alzheimer’s disease.

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Authorities booked McClendon into the Pulaski County Detention Facility on a $2,000 bond.

Franks was arrested by Lonoke County sheriff’s deputies on Oct. 31 and faces charges of aggravated insult to an endangered or disabled person. Between September and October 2023, five wire transfers totaling $1,086.26 were made from a woman’s account at the Cabot long-term care facility to Frank’s credit card account, authorities said.

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Authorities said Franks was arrested in Little Rock and taken to the Lonoke County Detention Center.

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