Bensalem Woman Who Stole $215K From Elderly Neighbor Gets Jail

BENSALEM, PA -- A Bensalem woman who stole more than $215,000 from her 91-year-old neighbor has been sentenced to 11½ to 23 months in prison, authorities announced.

Patricia Westerman, 48, was sentenced Wednesday. Authorities say she lived across the street from the victim, Norman Eddinger, who considered her a friend when he granted her power of attorney after his wife died in 2015.

She stole a total of $215,752, said Deputy District Attorney Marc J. Furber, who prosecuted the case.

The victim had severe hearing loss, and therefore struggled to communicate with banks and other businesses.

"He turned to Westerman, who abused his trust by maxing out his credit cards, opening new cards in his name, draining his bank account, cashing out Eddinger’s life insurance, stealing his wife’s insurance death benefit, spending his reverse-mortgage funds on herself and then borrowing another large sum against the victim’s home equity," a news release from the Bucks County District Attorney's office said.

Westerman, while disputing the total amount stolen, pleaded guilty in September to felony charges of identity theft, theft by unlawful taking, access device fraud and two theft-related misdemeanors.

In addition to the prison time, she must pay $214,212 in restitution to Eddinger’s estate and $1,540 to the Victims Compensation Assistance Program.

Eddinger died in October.

PHOTO: Bucks County District Attorney