Caregiver charged with taking funds from client

Police: Suspect said money was needed to support gambling habit

MILROY -- A Milroy woman is facing theft charges after allegedly withdrawing $2,500 from an elderly man's bank account, for whom she was providing care, without permission.

Joyce A. Durst, 67, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Jonathan Reed Friday, on charges of felonies theft by unlawful taking, access device and financical exploitation.

She is being held in Mifflin County Correctional Facility, unable to post $25,000 bail.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, a family member contacted police on Jan. 26, after noticing multiple unauthorized withdrawals from the client's ATM card.

The transactions occurred between June and December 2021 during Durst's caregiving shifts.

Kish Bank provided Mifflin County Regional Police with footage showing Durst at the ATM removing money which corresponded with the date of unauthorized transactions.

During a police interview, police said Durst admitted to using her client's ATM card without permission on numerous occasions and stated that she needed money to support her gambling habit.

A preliminary hearing is set for 9 a.m. March 23.