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Shannon Lynn Eberhart, 48, pleaded guilty to financial exploitation and theft charges in March, said the Bucks County District Attorney's Office on Wednesday, July 10.
In her role as caretaker for two seniors, Eberhart stole cash and heirloom jewelry and made unauthorized withdrawals from one of the victim’s bank accounts, prosecutors wrote.
“Shannon’s actions here are unforgivable,” one of the victims said. “These pieces of jewelry tell stories of my family, past and present, and can never be replaced.”
Eberhart was charged in February 2023 after an investigation by Newtown police, the DA's Office said. Months later, before a December pre-trial hearing was scheduled to take place, she submitted a document to her public defender claiming she was diagnosed with stage four esophageal cancer, officials explained.
The letter, which purported to come from a Montgomery County hospital, used the wrong name for the hospital and listed two doctors who did not work there, according to investigators.
The doctors denied writing the letter and said they never treated Eberhart, prosecutors noted.
“You are nothing but a con artist who deceived the people who cared for you,” said Judge Gary B. Gilman. “You betrayed every cancer patient, you betrayed the court system, you betrayed your attorney."
The 48-year-old pleaded guilty to unlawful use of a computer and two counts of identity theft in connection with the letter on Wednesday.
Eberhart was sentenced to one year minus a day to two years minus a day in prison, followed by 11 years of probation, authorities said.
She must also pay $32,835 in restitution to the victims, undergo mental health and drug and alcohol treatment, and can never again work as a caretaker, the DA's Office added.
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