A woman accused of stealing almost $200,000 from an elderly nursing home resident pleaded guilty in Schuylkill County.
Elizabeth DeLeon of Port Carbon made her plea Thursday at the courthouse in Pottsville. According to the district attorney, DeLeon admitted taking the money from Margaret Palko between January 2006 and May 2008. Palko was in her late eighties at the time but has since died. Charges against DeLeon were filed in February.
Prosecutors said that Palko gave DeLeon power of attorney in July 2005. About six months later, Palko was suffering from dementia and went to live in a nursing home. Authorities say that's when DeLeon began spending Palko's money on herself to the tune of more than $197,000. They say she spent so much of Palko's money that there was eventually none left to pay the nursing home bills.
DeLeon is scheduled to be sentenced next month in Schuylkill County.
Elizabeth DeLeon of Port Carbon made her plea Thursday at the courthouse in Pottsville. According to the district attorney, DeLeon admitted taking the money from Margaret Palko between January 2006 and May 2008. Palko was in her late eighties at the time but has since died. Charges against DeLeon were filed in February.
Prosecutors said that Palko gave DeLeon power of attorney in July 2005. About six months later, Palko was suffering from dementia and went to live in a nursing home. Authorities say that's when DeLeon began spending Palko's money on herself to the tune of more than $197,000. They say she spent so much of Palko's money that there was eventually none left to pay the nursing home bills.
DeLeon is scheduled to be sentenced next month in Schuylkill County.
