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A Martinsburg woman is facing charges after police said she stole more than $3,000 from her mother and had her living in squalor.
According to charges filed by North Woodbury Township police, Kimberly Louise Markel, 51, used her mother’s debit card to make purchases and withdraw cash without her mother’s authorization. Police said Markel and her mother live together.
On April 4, police were contacted by the property manager of Showalter Apartments in Martinsburg after the victim said that she could not locate her bank card to pay bills.
According to police, the property manager accompanied the victim to her bank where she discovered her bank accounts were short of money. Police said the victim talked to the bank manager who told her that there were some suspicious purchases made with the victim’s bank card and when shown the statement, the victim said she did not make the purchases.
Police said the victim told the bank manager that Markel is the only person who could get her bank card and that her daughter had stolen from her in the past.
When police questioned Markel, she allegedly confessed to using her mother’s card to purchase items and withdraw cash. Police said the total amount missing from the victim’s account was $3,758.61, taken over a three-year period.
While questioning Markel, police said they noticed the apartment was in “extremely poor” condition and infested with multiple bugs. Police said Markel’s bedroom was so cluttered with rubbish and beer cans that they could not open the door. Police said the kitchen was unsanitary and unsafe with the batteries removed from the smoke detectors and Markel leaving the oven on with cardboard boxes piled on top of the stove.
Police called in Blair Protective Services to investigate the living conditions. On April 7, Blair Protective Services inspected the residence and found conditions to be poor. Police said they are attempting to bring in a team to clean the residence and throw out the trash.
Markel is facing felony counts of theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, access device fraud and identity theft, as well as a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a dependent person.
Markel was arraigned by Martinsburg Magisterial District Judge Andrew Blattenberger and released on $25,000 unsecured bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for today, May 5, in front of Blattenberger.
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