Rosemarie Pochron, a 90-year-old resident of a local nursing home, is out over $20,000 after police said her son and daughter-in-law used power of attorney to make purchases without her consent.

Richard R. Hoffman, 70, and Pauline Byerly Hoffman, 62, both of Cabot, are each facing two counts of felony theft, two counts of felony financial exploitation of an older adult and a count of felony accessing a device issued to another who did not authorize use. Pauline Hoffman is additionally facing a felony charge of identity theft.

According to state police, Pochron told a trooper that more than $20,000 was taken from her through her power of attorney. She said she has faced health issues since 2022 and gave her son, Richard Hoffman, power of attorney in 2023. Pauline Hoffman was also made an agent.

While living with the Hoffmans in summer 2024, Pochron told police she noticed charges on her Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union account that she did not make. When contacting PSECU to have the card shut off, Pochron told police Pauline Hoffman overheard the conversation, grabbed the phone, hung up and told Pochron she was causing “too many problems.”

Pochron told police in August 2024 that Pauline Hoffman took her bank cards and reopened her PSECU account using the power of attorney paperwork. Police said she was unaware that the account was reopened and that purchases were being made on her cards.

Police said a search warrant was issued for Pochron’s PSECU records, which showed that $44,561.45 was used and Pochron had filed disputes for $25,643.40 of the charges. After refunds, police said Pochron is still estimated to have lost $28,506.77.

Police said purchases ranged from Amazon, TikTok Shop, fast-food chains, Venmo, utility and mortgage payments and more.

According to police, Richard Hoffman said he used Pochron’s cards but only for approved payments. Police said when he was questioned about the purchases, he denied purchasing anything online and said he didn’t know about any utility or mortgage payments.

Police said Pauline Hoffman admitted to making purchases online and in person with Pochron’s approval on the accounts and said she took Pochron’s cards after she claimed fraud on them multiple times. According to police, when questioned about the mortgage and utility payments, Pauline Hoffman said Pochron wanted to contribute to the home.

Police said Pauline Hoffman also admitted to purchasing a couch from Beatty Furtniture with Pochron’s approval. However, Beatty Furniture employees told police they believed they were dealing with Pochron and her name was listed on the receipt and documented phone calls.

Both Richard and Pauline Hoffmans’ preliminary hearings have yet to be scheduled.