Home health aide accused of $50K binge on patient’s cards

A Burlington County home health aide who tended a disabled patient in Lumberton is under arrest for allegedly running up $50,068 in charges on his credit cards without his family's permission.

Maryann Eckman, 59, of Beverly, was apprehended Monday at another patient's home in Palmyra, according to information from Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi.

She faces a third-degree charge of theft by deception and had her initial court appearance this afternoon. Her bail was set at $50,000.

Investigators said that a relative of the patient notified them after finding large balances in several accounts, none of which he had used in a considerable time.

Authorities did not disclose the agency that employed her, the period of time in which the charges were allegedly amassed, or whether she has retained an attorney.

Lumberton police and the Prosecutor's Financial Crimes Unit were aided by Palmyra police and the county Board of Social Services.

Investigators seek more information about the defendant. The Prosecutor's office can be reached at 609-265-5035.