Ephrata woman charged with theft, financial exploitation of elderly relative
Authorities allege a granddaughter used an elderly relative’s accounts for personal purchases and gambling; criminal charges were filed Sept. 24, 2026.
Jennifer Lynn Fernandez, 37, of Ephrata, was charged Sept. 24, 2026, with theft by unlawful taking (F3) and financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person (F3) after an investigation found $4,310 in transactions on a 79-year-old relative's bank account. Search warrants of Cash App, Chime and BetMGM accounts revealed purchases and gambling between Oct. 1, 2025, and Jan. 2, 2026; Fernandez admitted using those accounts for personal, non-care-related purchases. Charges (case 2026-03349) have been filed and a preliminary arraignment has not yet been scheduled; all persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.