CLEARFIELD – Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. announced that charges have been filed against a personal care attendant accused of stealing money from a patient.
Shaw identified the defendant as 24 year old Bracie Layne Wolfe, of Maple Avenue, DuBois.
The criminal complaint filed by Sgt. Joseph Stanton of the DuBois City Police Department charges Wolfe with: 1) theft by unlawful taking (Felony 3) and 2) receiving stolen property, (Felony 3).
An affidavit of probable cause filed with the complaint reports that on Sept. 3 the DuBois City Police were notified of a theft that occurred at a residence on East Weber Avenue.
The affidavit states that a woman was receiving in-home care from Wolfe and another woman between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. After providing services, Wolfe returned to the residence unaccompanied by her co-worker and assisted the alleged victim with bathing. The alleged victim reported that she kept $2,380.00 in a small black wallet attached to her bra. Wolfe had assisted the alleged victim in undressing and bathing. After bathing, the alleged victim looked for her wallet and found the wallet located inside a pillow-case. The wallet was empty. The alleged victim immediately called police and reported the theft.
The affidavit further reports that DuBois City Police Officers were able to locate Wolfe within a short period of time. Wolfe was transported to the DuBois City Police Station to be interviewed and was seated in the police station’s interview room. A search warrant executed on Wolfe’s vehicle and residence failed to locate the stolen money. However, at approximately 7:30 the following morning an employee for the cleaning service used by DuBois City discovered the money in a trash can located in the interview room. The trash can was near a telephone that Wolfe used on several occasions while at the police station.
Wolfe was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Patrick Ford who released Wolfe on $10,000.00 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 18.
Shaw stated that “it is absolutely a concern when a personal care attendant violates the trust of a disabled or elderly patient. This is unacceptable behavior.” Shaw further noted that every effort would be made to fully prosecute this case. Shaw said that disabled and elderly citizens deserve our very best efforts to protect them from this type of crime.
Shaw further stated he was extremely pleased with the speed in which Sgt. Stanton was able to resolve this case. “Sgt. Stanton recognizes the need to protect disabled and elderly citizens and gave this case his top priority,” Shaw said.