Report: Woman Allegedly Stole $220K From Mom, Spent $50K On Psychics

JEANNETTE (KDKA) -- A Jeannette woman is accused of stealing $220,400 from her sick mother and spending a good chunk of it on a psychic hotline.

According to the Tribune-Review, Police say 57-year-old Teri Lyn Padgett started taking money from accounts her mom maintained at the Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union in Hempfield in February.

Officers say the mother suffers from dementia and needs supervised care within her own home. Padgett had power of attorney over her mother's assets and allegedly used that to gain access to her mother's money.

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The Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging contacted authorities in July when they noticed unusual activity in the mother's accounts.

More than $53,000 was paid to California Psychics according to court documents. $17,936 was placed into Padgett's personal bank account. A $148,678 annuity payment made in July to the victim was transferred to another personal bank account owned by the Padgett.

Police say she also used her mother's money to pay for specialized cable services, credit card debt fees and an online astrology service.

Padgett is held in county prison after failing to post $20,000 bond.