Daughter Accused of Stealing $41,671.78 from Elderly Mother's Account

A 55-year-old woman, Lynn Dewey, has been arrested in Grove City, following an investigation into bank fraud. Dewey is accused of exploiting her familial relationship to siphon funds from her 80-year-old mother's PNC bank account. The mother, who is unable to care for herself or make financial decisions, resides in a senior care facility. The facility alerted authorities after noticing significant withdrawals from the mother's account.

The criminal complaint details that between December 2023 and the present, Dewey, who had access to the account, transferred funds using the peer-to-peer money transfer service Cash App. The facility's administrators reported that the mother has over $16,000 in patient liability, with no payments made since January. Additionally, Medicaid denied medical assistance due to the reported income of the elderly woman.

According to the police, Dewey admitted to using Cash App to move money from the PNC bank account. She confessed to using the funds for personal expenses, including purchasing groceries and gas, paying personal credit card bills, and sending money to relatives. The total amount Dewey admitted to spending on personal expenses is $41,671.78. Dewey is now facing charges for financial exploitation of an older adult and theft.

This incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals who rely on others for financial management. It underscores the importance of safeguarding the financial well-being of elderly relatives, especially those who are unable to make decisions for themselves. The case also raises awareness about the potential misuse of peer-to-peer money transfer services, which can be exploited for fraudulent activities.