Lock Haven – Two women acting as In-home caregivers were charged with Financial exploitation of Older Adults and Access Device Fraud this week.  The two investigations were unrelated, but demonstrate a recently increasing trend in Clinton County of in-home caregivers taking advantage of elderly and care-dependent people in the area. 

Britney L. Hostrander, 28 years old, of Trout Run, PA. was charged for alleged crimes that took place in Wayne Township, Clinton County. Her alleged victims are a 76-year-old female and an 80-year-old male. Pine Creek Township Police allege that Hostrander was an employee of an in-home caregiving company, Helping Hands Home Health.  Hostrander is alleged to have used the credit cards belonging to her client and her client's husband to make unauthorized purchases of nearly $2000, including almost $500 that Hostrander is alleged to have paid on outstanding costs and fines for her prior criminal cases in Mifflin County.  Hostrander has previous convictions for Access Device Fraud, Forgery and Theft.

Shannon Schenck, 45, of Lock Haven, was charged by Mill Hall Borough Police Department with with Financial Exploitation of an Older Adult or Care-Dependant Person, and Access Device Fraud.  Schenck is alleged to have been an employee for Arcadia Homecare and Staffing, and served as an in-home caregiver for a 71-year-old female resident of Mill Hall Borough.  Mill Hall Borough Police allege that Schenck used the the victim’s credit card for over $2,000 to pay for Schenck's personal utility bills.  Schenck has previous drug and a DUI convictions.