Two in-home caregivers accused of financial exploiting elderly, dependent clients

by Emily Cherkauskas

Britney Hostrander - Shannon Schenck

LOCK HAVEN, CLINTON CO. (WOLF) — Two women are charged with financially exploiting elderly and care-dependent people in Clinton County.

Police in Clinton County say the two women were charged following unrelated incidents, but "demonstrate a recently increasing trend in Clinton County of in-home caregivers taking advantage" of victims in the area.

28-year-old Britney L. Hostrader of Trout Run was charged for allegedly exploiting a 76-year-old female and an 80-year-old male in Wayne Township.

According to Pine Creek Township Police, Hostrader was an employee of Helping Hands Home Health, an in-home caregiving company. 

Hostrader allegedly used credit cards belonging to her client and her client's husband to make unauthorized purchases of nearly $2,000, including almost $500 that she reportedly paid on outstanding costs and fines for her prior criminal cases out of Mifflin County. She was previously convicted of access device fraud, forgery and theft, police said.

Shannon Schenck, 45, of Lock Haven, was charged for exploiting a 71-year-old female resident of Mill Hall Borough while working for Arcadia Homecare and Staffing, police said.

According to the Mill Hall Borough Police Department, Schenck used the victim's credit card for over $2,000 to pay for her personal utility bills. Schenck has previous drug and DUI convictions, officers said.

Both women have been charged with financial exploitation of older adults and access device fraud.

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Two in-home caregivers accused of financial exploiting elderly, dependent clients