Vandergrift, PA -- Westmoreland County Detectives charged an Armstrong County woman accused of stealing monetary assets from her relative while acting as power of attorney. 

Virginia McLachlan, 72, was arraigned on theft and receiving stolen property charges. 

Detectives were made aware of the allegations of suspected misappropriation of funds by the Area Agency on Aging in June of 2023. 

Relatives of the victim were reviewing financial records and noticed discrepancies in 2022 after McLachlan removed herself as power of attorney in early 2023. 

The victim owned a home in Vandergrift but was receiving care at an assisted living facility. While receiving care, McLachlan sold the victim's home without permission and against the wishes of the victim. 

Detectives said financial records showed the sale of the home, worth approximately $28,000, was wire transferred to an account belonging to McLachlan. 

Upon investigating, detectives discovered the victim "had approximately $40,000 in an investment account and approximately $40,000 in her checking account when Virginia McLachlan initially approved assistant to her through the power of attorney. (The victim) has no learned that the accounts are depleted." 

Detectives said McLachlan abandoned her relative at the assisted living facility with only $25.32 to her name. 

McLachlan was released on $50,000 unsecured bail upon arraignment. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.