A former worker at a nursing home in Schuylkill County is accused of stealing from the elderly.
Michelle Connors, 37, of Girardville didn't want to talk about what she's accused of doing after being arraigned on felony theft charges. She's free on bail.
Prosecutors said Connors became friends with 90-year-old Mary O'Connell and stole more than $160,000 from the elderly woman's bank account. Connors became power of attorney for the woman and had full access to all her money.
O'Connell looks like anyone's grandmother but she's alone in the world with no relatives. Police said Connors used that to become O'Connell's friend and then drained the elderly woman's bank account.
When asked if she could forgive Connors, O'Connell said, "No! Why should you forgive a thief? I would never forgive a thief."
Prosecutors know what they want if they convict Connors.
"We're definitely going to recommend jail time and we're going to ask for a severe sentence. We have to send a message to the people out there that you can't prey on the elderly and you can't steal from an 88 or 90-year-old woman," said Schuylkill County District Attorney Jim Goodman.
Police said Connors bought jewelry, a car, furniture and even paid off her house with the stolen cash.
"I have an 83-year-old mother who I worship the ground she walks on and when I see them doing this to people that has struggled all their lives, it just breaks my heart. It breaks my heart to see them do it to these people," said Schuylkill County Detective Dolly Malec. "It wasn't like they were taking this money to feed their children because they were starving and wanted to feed their children. They were buying things that they did not need."
"I didn't think much about it. I didn't think power of attorney was a big deal," McConnell said about giving Connor power of attorney. "I think a little different about it now. It's a big deal!"
"Going after elderly people, it's just a terrible crime and the case is very time consuming," said Joe Hall of Shenandoah police.
Police said Connors became friends while the victim was at a nursing home where Connors worked. The nursing home administrator said Connors has been fired and of course the nursing home had no idea a crime was being committed.
Officials said those who grant power of attorney can protect themselves by reviewing every bank statement they get and try to find someone trustworthy.
"Well I wouldn't want to be bothered by her ever again. You don't want to be bothered by someone who robs you," Mary O'Connell added.
If you suspect elderly abuse call toll-free 1-800-490-8505.
Michelle Connors, 37, of Girardville didn't want to talk about what she's accused of doing after being arraigned on felony theft charges. She's free on bail.
Prosecutors said Connors became friends with 90-year-old Mary O'Connell and stole more than $160,000 from the elderly woman's bank account. Connors became power of attorney for the woman and had full access to all her money.
O'Connell looks like anyone's grandmother but she's alone in the world with no relatives. Police said Connors used that to become O'Connell's friend and then drained the elderly woman's bank account.
When asked if she could forgive Connors, O'Connell said, "No! Why should you forgive a thief? I would never forgive a thief."
Prosecutors know what they want if they convict Connors.
"We're definitely going to recommend jail time and we're going to ask for a severe sentence. We have to send a message to the people out there that you can't prey on the elderly and you can't steal from an 88 or 90-year-old woman," said Schuylkill County District Attorney Jim Goodman.
Police said Connors bought jewelry, a car, furniture and even paid off her house with the stolen cash.
"I have an 83-year-old mother who I worship the ground she walks on and when I see them doing this to people that has struggled all their lives, it just breaks my heart. It breaks my heart to see them do it to these people," said Schuylkill County Detective Dolly Malec. "It wasn't like they were taking this money to feed their children because they were starving and wanted to feed their children. They were buying things that they did not need."
"I didn't think much about it. I didn't think power of attorney was a big deal," McConnell said about giving Connor power of attorney. "I think a little different about it now. It's a big deal!"
"Going after elderly people, it's just a terrible crime and the case is very time consuming," said Joe Hall of Shenandoah police.
Police said Connors became friends while the victim was at a nursing home where Connors worked. The nursing home administrator said Connors has been fired and of course the nursing home had no idea a crime was being committed.
Officials said those who grant power of attorney can protect themselves by reviewing every bank statement they get and try to find someone trustworthy.
"Well I wouldn't want to be bothered by her ever again. You don't want to be bothered by someone who robs you," Mary O'Connell added.
If you suspect elderly abuse call toll-free 1-800-490-8505.
