Stuarts Draft woman pleads guilty to financial exploitation of a mentally incapacitated adult

Terry L. Lohr

STAUNTON - A Stuarts Draft woman pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing thousands of dollars from her incapacitated father.

How much was stolen? Authorities are still trying to nail down a monetary figure.

In June, the Augusta County Sheriff's Office arrested Terry L. Lohr, 56, on a charge of financial exploitation of a mentally incapacitated adult amid allegations she fleeced her 82-year-old father out of nearly $20,000.

According to Augusta County Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Alexandra Meador, Lohr had been granted power of attorney for her father, giving her access to his funds. In 2017, her father sold his home and Lohr took some of the proceeds from the sale, Meador said.

Lohr bought herself a recreational vehicle, new tires and a shed. Meador said the money from the house sale was supposed to go to Lohr's father for his personal needs.

"It wasn't spent down properly," she said of the proceeds. "Some of it was spent down on her."

Because of Lohr's actions, her father lost his Medicaid support for several months, Meador said.

Lohr initially claimed she took the money because it was owed to her from past loans, according to Meador.

Asked how much money was stolen, Meador said there are a number of "complicated factors" that are still being sorted out but noted the amount was over $10,000. Once a final figure is determined, Lohr must pay restitution to the Department of Medical Assistance Services, Meador said.

In Augusta County Circuit Court on Wednesday, Lohr pleaded guilty to the single felony charge of financial exploitation of a mentally incapacitated adult. She was sentenced to two years in prison but both years were suspended, giving her no time to serve. She was also placed on probation for two years.

Lohr's guilty plea nixed a scheduled jury trial for Friday. 

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Stuarts Draft woman pleads guilty to financial exploitation of a mentally incapacitated adult