Wilkins woman accused of stealing $300K from her ailing mother

A Wilkins woman stole more than $300,000 from her ailing mother and used the money for contractors, attorneys, groceries, lawn care and other expenses, according to charges filed Friday against the woman.

Patricia Pangikas, 66, allegedly wrote checks to herself worth $319,607 between January 2014 and July 2017, District Attorney’s Detective Jessica Von Voigt wrote in a criminal complaint.

Pangikas’ mother, Mary Sietam, was “incapacitated,” according to the complaint. She was living at LGAR Heath and Rehabilitation Services in Turtle Creek from late 2013 until her death on July 10, 2018.

Pangikas was her mother’s power of attorney until July 2017, when Ursuline Senior Services was appointed her legal guardian.

Voigt wrote in the complaint that she began investigating Pangikas’ alleged misuse of funds in July 2017 and LGAR officials revealed they had not received a payment for Sietam’s care — about $7,750 a month – since October 2015. The facility told Voigt it still is owed more than $234,000.

Bank records showed that Sietam had about $20,205 in one of her PNC Bank accounts when she was admitted to LGAR in November 2013, Voigt wrote. More than $440,000 was deposited into that account from Sietam’s other accounts and investments. By the time Voigt began investigating, there was just over $35 in the account.

Pangikas is charged with theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property and misapplication of funds. She surrendered to detectives Friday and was released on her own recognizance. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 5.

Megan Guza is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Megan at 412-380-8519, mguza@tribweb.com or via Twitter @meganguzaTrib.