A Halifax County man was charged with allegedly exploiting the trust of an elderly woman who essentially befriended him his entire life.

Harry Jerome Byrd, according to Detective H.L. Williams of the Halifax County Sheriff’s Office, bilked the 83-year-old Weldon woman of more than $7,500 over the past few months.

Williams said Byrd, 52, allegedly got the victim to write him checks from her account up until the point the woman’s discovered this was happening.

The daughter filed a report and on Friday Williams charged Byrd with one count of exploitation of the elderly.

Williams said Byrd knew the victim his entire life and at one point lived with her.

Byrd was initially jailed on $7,500 bond and ordered not to have any contact with the victim. He was, however, arrested again when he violated the order and contacted her by telephone.

He was given another bond, making the total $15,000.