Police: Nursing Assistant Stole Money, Jewelry From Residents
IRWIN (KDKA) -- A nursing home employee in Irwin has been accused of stealing from residents.
Police were first contacted by another employee at Golden Heights personal care home. That person told officers that Robyn Eckles had forged and cashed a check belonging to a resident.
Officers had also been in contact regarding allegations that Eckles was stealing jewelry from the residents.
When police confronted Eckles about the forged check, she stated that she did have permission from the resident and gave him the money. However, the resident's son told officers that his father never received said money.
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Eckles admitted to police that she had been stealing checks and jewelry from about 10 residents, pawning the jewelry for cash.
"We visited some pawn shops and discovered the woman cashed in multiple pieces of jewelry belonging to residents in the personal care facility," said Penn Township Police Chief John Otto.
Included in what she stole: gold wedding bands, various rings, pearl earrings, a religious pendant and a ring inscribed "to my darling wife."
Eric Kosan's mother is one of the residents that were allegedly stolen from.
"We've met all the people over there, we go over there and say hello, we think they're all nice and everything's cool, then this happens," he said. "They informed us that one of the staff members stole forged and cashed a check for $400."
Kosan's mother's wedding ring was one of the items taken. His mom and dad's marriage spanned half a century. Eckles allegedly pawned it for $87.
"The wedding ring, wow, who would have thought, the wedding ring...50 years...," Kosan said, while fighting back tears. "She has problems even finishing a sentence nowadays, she was an easy target."
Eckles is charged with two counts of forgery, nine counts of theft and nine counts of receiving stolen property.
