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Pennsylvania Jail Guard Accused of Stealing from 93-Year-Old Widow
Prosecutors have charged an Allegheny County, Pennsylvania jail guard with theft. Mark Hendrick, 46, was charged with access device fraud, theft and misapplication of entrusted property in April 2011 after it was discovered that he had taken more than $147,000 from Nerrie Kerr, a 93-year-old widow with dementia.
In July 2010, Kerr gave Hendrick power of attorney over her affairs, though she later said she did not remember doing so. Hendrick helped Kerr set up a will that allotted Hendrick 25 percent of her estate, with the remainder going to Kerr’s family and church.
According to investigators, though, Hendrick got greedy. He allegedly made himself the sole beneficiary of Kerr’s $500,000 annuity and $285,000 investment account. He also was accused of taking $147,000 from one of her other accounts and opening a credit card in her name. Plus he was named a partial owner of Kerr’s house.
“I don’t want that. I didn’t want it changed,” Kerr told police. “I don’t want Mark to get all of it. I never told anyone to change it.”
Hendrick was released on $5,000 bond; the charges against him remain pending. He has been on workers’ compensation leave from the Allegheny County Jail since January 2010. A judge froze Kerr’s assets during the investigation, to stop Hendrick from further looting her accounts.
Sources: www.correctionsone.com, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
In July 2010, Kerr gave Hendrick power of attorney over her affairs, though she later said she did not remember doing so. Hendrick helped Kerr set up a will that allotted Hendrick 25 percent of her estate, with the remainder going to Kerr’s family and church.
According to investigators, though, Hendrick got greedy. He allegedly made himself the sole beneficiary of Kerr’s $500,000 annuity and $285,000 investment account. He also was accused of taking $147,000 from one of her other accounts and opening a credit card in her name. Plus he was named a partial owner of Kerr’s house.
“I don’t want that. I didn’t want it changed,” Kerr told police. “I don’t want Mark to get all of it. I never told anyone to change it.”
Hendrick was released on $5,000 bond; the charges against him remain pending. He has been on workers’ compensation leave from the Allegheny County Jail since January 2010. A judge froze Kerr’s assets during the investigation, to stop Hendrick from further looting her accounts.
Sources: www.correctionsone.com, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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