Nicole Kikkert
•9/7/2026
Elaine Oliver, a mother in Port Charlotte, shared her emotional story after her son, Damon Oliver, was arrested and accused of stealing over $23,000 from her. "I love my son. But it was either this or maybe he hurt himself more — maybe lose my son. I can't live with that. I can't live with that," Elaine said. Elaine said that her entire life savings were taken. "Gone. Entire savings for my life. I don't even know how anyone could spend that much money in such a short period of time," she said. According to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office arrest report, Damon drained Elaine’s bank account into the negatives over six months. He reportedly used various methods, including Venmo and Cash App, and even opened additional bank accounts in his mother’s name. Elaine said her son’s drug use was the root cause of the theft, and when his behavior turned physical, she realized she needed to take action. "This is the second time we've had to remove him from our house. The first time, I was sitting on the sofa, and they're over here, you know, with the hands-behind-your-back routine. And then all of a sudden, you hear, click. And you think to yourself, I don't ever want to hear that ever again in my life. And then I heard it again," she said. Now that Damon is behind bars, Elaine said she feels a small sense of relief. "There's one thing worse than those handcuffs going snap. Well, some people say the jail cell, but I would say when they put the coffin lid down, click. No more chances. It's over. And I don't want to hear that. I don't want to see it. I will do just about anything. Just about anything to get him to straighten up," she said. Damon Oliver is scheduled to appear in court next month. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.
