Metro

A Hollidaysburg woman faces more than two dozen charges related to the financial exploitation of an elderly person.

Brandy Marie Ritchey, 43, was charged with six felony counts of access device used without authorization, five felony counts each of theft by deception and receiving stolen property, one felony count each of financial exploitation of an older adult of care dependent person and forgery. In addition, she was charged with three misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property, two misdemeanor counts of theft by deception, and one misdemeanor count each of Receiving stolen property, theft and unauthorized use of an access device.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, state police received a report in March from a protective services investigator for Blair Senior Services.

The investigator told police he was assigned the case on Feb. 13 and that the victim lived at the Presbyterian Home in Hollidaysburg, where she has been a resident since late September 2025. She had previously lived in her home with Ritchey, the investigator said.

During his research, the investigator received two concerning reports about Ritchey purchasing a new car, but lacking the financial means to do so. The second report showed bank statements that appeared Ritchey was financially exploiting the victim.

When protective services interviewed the victim, she voiced concerns that Ritchey was using her money without permission.

Protective services received a spreadsheet of expenditures from the victim’s bank account and found a variety of purchases that the victim did not authorize, including vacations, hotel rooms and cruises, the affidavit states.

Police reported that the purchases began about June 30, 2025, and included several cruises, cruise excursions, hotels in New York and more.

Police also found several unauthorized cash withdrawals from the victim’s bank account at area ATM machines.

In addition, Ritchey took the victim to the bank on Feb. 13 in an attempt to withdraw $40,000. That request was denied and the account was put on hold, protective services reported.

During the investigation, police spoke to a local bank branch manager who reported her suspicions that Ritchey was exploiting the victim.

In an interview with the victim and her family members, the victim said Ritchey has access to her finances to pay for her stay at the home. But for bills associated with the victim’s home, Ritchey brings the bills and the victim pays those by writing out a check.

Police reported they told the victim that Ritchey may have been using her money to benefit herself for a very long time, the affidavit states, noting the total amounted to about $50,000.

When asked, the victim told police she never authorized Ritchey to use her money for a vehicle, vacations or anything else.

“I made it clear several times to her, if you’re doing this, you’d better be using your own money. If you’re using mine, you’re going to be in trouble. I told her I would stick her ass in jail faster than anything,” the victim told police in the interview.

On March 17, police applied for and were granted a search warrant on Ritchey’s residence, vehicle and person.

The warrant was executed on March 18 and police found a variety of items relating to the case, including the victim’s bank cards, bank statements, checkbooks and deposit/withdrawal slips. In addition, police found receipts for the vehicle purchase and a flight to Miami, as well as a receipt from a local pawn shop where Ritchey allegedly sold gold and silver, receiving $1,400.

During an interview with police on March 19, Ritchey allegedly admitted to using the victim’s money for herself and to selling the victim’s jewelry, police reported.

Ritchey allegedly told police she was broke and didn’t know what else to do.

Ritchey was arraigned Thursday evening before Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. DeAntonio and remanded to the Blair County Prison in lieu of $150,000 bail.

Her preliminary hearing is set for May 26 before DeAntonio.