Caregiver Charged After Taking $30K From Disabled Couple
BRADDOCK, Pa. (KDKA/AP) - A caregiver was in custody on charges she stole more than $30,000 from a disabled Pittsburgh-area couple and used the money to gamble at casinos, and changed their life insurance to make herself the beneficiary.
Online court records don't list an attorney for 46-year-old Barbara J. Davis, of Wilkinsburg.
She surrendered Wednesday and was awaiting arraignment on charges she stole the money from a Braddock couple, 78-year-old Geno Bussler and his 58-year-old wife, Lois.
The couple hired Davis to help with their everyday needs in 2007. Lois Bussler is blind and her husband uses a wheelchair.
The couple lives in the General Braddock Tower Hi-Rise in the 600-block of Sixth Street in Braddock
A co-worker became suspicious of some of the purchases being made in the Bussler's name. These purchases included alcohol, a child's mattress and wedding bands.
After looking at their bank records, it was determined that Davis was taking about $1,000 a month from the couple.
Police say Davis took more than she was authorized from the couple's bank account over three years, making more than 160 automatic teller machine withdrawals at several casinos:
- On Aug. 2, 2011, Davis allegedly withdrew $400 at the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
- Between Jan. 3, 2011 and Jan. 19, 2011, Davis allegedly withdrew $1,100 at Mountaineer Casino.
- Between Sept. 23, 2010 and Jan. 3, 2013, Davis allegedly withdrew $19,112 at the Rivers Casino.
- Between Aug. 25, 2010 and Jan. 3, 2013, Davis allegedly withdrew $9,059 at the Meadows Casino.
- Between Nov 8. 2010 and March 23, 2012, Davis allegedly withdrew $5,180 at the Wheeling Island Casino.
Davis is now facing a list of charges including, unlawful taking, access device fraud, theft by deception, tampering with records of identification, insurance fraud and forgery.
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