Caregiver caught on nanny cam stealing from disabled woman

 

NORTHAMPTON, Pa. - Police said a Bethlehem woman was caught on camera stealing jewelry and cash worth almost $14,000 from a disabled woman in her care.

Margaret Elizabeth Ratushny, 50, was charged with theft and receiving stolen property.

A man reported to police that he noticed some items were missing from his home around Thanksgiving, sometime after hiring Ratushny to take care of his disabled wife.

The husband said he then installed nanny cameras in his home in the 2300 block of Dewey Avenue, Northampton.

Police said Ratushny is seen on video going through the woman's bedroom and putting jewelry and cash in her pockets on January 18 and 19.

The husband said he confronted Ratushny when she arrived for work the next day, but she denied taking anything.

When police questioned her and asked if she would admit to taking items if she knew they had video evidence, Ratushny still said "no," according to court paperwork.

Police said the jewelry and cash taken between November 2016 and January 2017 are worth about $13,995.

Ratushny was arraigned Tuesday. She is in Northampton County Prison in lieu of $40,000 bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 10.