Martinsburg Home Healthcare Worker Accused of Stealing from Client

A Martinsburg woman is facing criminal charges after police said she stole money from an elderly man she was employed to take care of.

According to charges filed by the Altoona Police Department, Tara S. Delvin, 45, is accused of forging checks from the victim’s account for her personal use.

Police said Delvin was employed by a home healthcare agency and was assigned as a personal aid to the victim. Police said while working in the victim’s home, Delvin removed two checks from his checkbook.

Police allege that on April 9, Delvin cashed a check for $1,000 made out in the victim’s name. Police said the check was endorsed with illegible signatures.

On April 12, police allege that Delvin cashed a second check, made out to “Tara Delvin,” in the amount of $2,000. Police said the signature on the front of the check was illegible but had Delvin’s signature for the endorsement on the back of the check.

On April 9, police allege, Delvin submitted paperwork to her employer stating that she had cashed a $1,000 check for the victim for “food and cleaning supplies.” On April 12, Delvin again submitted paperwork to her employer reporting she had cashed a check for $2,000 for the victim. Police said Delvin reported the reason was for “bank withdraw, client was looking to get his carpets cleaned or replaced.” Police said the money exchange form Delvin submitted had an illegible signature for the customer signature as well as her signature.

Police said a manager of the home healthcare agency that employed Delvin told them that employees are required to document on a money exchange form when employees handle money for clients. Police said Delvin completed the necessary forms but did not turn in the required receipts for the transactions. The manager told police that Delvin quit her employment on April 30.

When police interviewed the victim, he denied giving Delvin permission to remove the checks from his checkbook and told them he did not provide the checks to her or ask her to obtain money for him.

Delvin is facing felony counts of forgery, theft by unlawful taking, and receiving stolen property.

She was arraigned on June 4 by Altoona Magisterial District Judge Benjamin Jones and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 30 in front of Jones.