Peninsula Woman Steals $228K From Own Parents, Gets 1 Year Jail Time: DA

A woman who pleaded no contest to charges of felony elder theft and identity theft was sentenced to one year in jail and five years of probation in San Mateo County Superior Court Thursday, according to prosecutors.

Jeanine Bernadette Jantoc, 45, was living with her parents in South San Francisco after her mother had a stroke in 2010. Her father asked Jantoc to find out about the tax penalties involved in paying for her mother's care by making early withdrawals from their retirement account, but never authorized her to take any money.

However, she proceeded to steal roughly $200,000 over three years between June 2013 and August 2016, prosecutors said. Jantoc also opened a series of credit card accounts in their names. She was eventually confronted, at which time she packed up, moved out and left a note claiming to be a gambling addict.

The court also ordered her to pay $228,661 in restitution, although it is unclear whether Jantoc will be able to do so.

"We recognize that in the course of five years, the restitution to them is going to be highly unlikely," District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe said.

Defense attorney Adriana Eberle could not immediately be reached for comment.

-- By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock