Alabama house cleaner Tabitha White, who allegedly stole nearly $400,000 in cash handfuls from an elderly couple, faces exploitation charges.

An Alabama house cleaner allegedly took nearly $400,000 in cash from an elderly couple whose home she cleaned, authorities said.

Tabitha White, 28, of Bay Minette, has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person, police said.

The money allegedly disappeared over the course of months before the victims realized how much was gone. The missing cash was not taken in a single grab, police said.

White admitted taking “handfuls” of cash at a time while working inside the couple’s home, investigators said.

The investigation began after the couple noticed a substantial amount of their money was missing from the residence, according to authorities.

The homeowners subsequently identified the 28-year-old cleaner as their primary suspect, police said.

Detectives then questioned White about the missing funds. During that questioning, the cleaner initially produced a large amount of cash from her home that she acknowledged came from the couple’s residence, authorities said.

Detectives then expanded the probe to examine what other property the suspect allegedly had in her possession, according to police.

A search of White’s property reportedly uncovered purchase records along with vehicles and four-wheelers, according to authorities.

Detectives also seized electronics and lawn equipment during the search of the property, police said.

The search further uncovered construction supplies alongside brand new appliances, investigators said.

Authorities have not said that all of those seized items were purchased with the couple’s money. Officials have also not revealed exactly how much of the nearly $400,000 has been recovered, police said.

White has been formally charged with the exploitation offense, but she remains accused and has not been convicted, authorities said.