A Carlisle woman who pleaded guilty to stealing from a disabled woman whom she had been caring for was sentenced today to three years of supervised probation in Cumberland County Court.
Judge Edward Guido also ordered Tammy Lynn Duncan pay $1,874 in restitution to the victim, Katherine Clarkson, also of Carlisle.
According to court records, Duncan, 39, who had been Clarkson's live-in nurse, took three bank and credit cards from the victim's purse while Clarkson was in Carlisle Regional Medical Center from Dec. 20 to Jan. 11. Duncan made almost $4,000 in unauthorized purchases using the victim's bank cards while Clarkson was in the hospital, police said.
Police found receipts matching the unauthorized purchases in Clarkson's van, which Duncan had been using while Clarkson was in the hospital. Police said Duncan also forged Clarkson's name on a $654.16 check that the victim had received from Capital Blue Cross, and cashed the check while Clarkson was in the hospital.
Duncan according to court records told police she stole from the woman because she "desperately needed the money." Duncan while in court said that she had gotten off medication she was taking for depression and "things got out of control."
County Chief Public Defender Tim Clawges said Duncan now works full-time as a server at a restaurant and has been "extremely contrite throughout this whole process."
Guido ordered Duncan to pay at least $50 in restitution every month.