Woman accused of taking money from elderly couple in Monongalia County

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY) — A woman has been charged after allegedly taking more than $5,000 from an elderly couple over a two year period.

On May 21, deputies with the Monongalia County Sheriff’s Department were notified of an individual wishing to speak with them about someone exploiting an elderly person, according to a criminal complaint.

When deputies spoke with the caller, she stated while her elderly husband was in the hospital, she had asked Brenda Yoss, 59, of Morgantown, to give her a ride and take care of their animals, deputies said.

During that time, Yoss had been hired to clean the couple’s home and did so for a total of $75 each time; however, Yoss would ask for more money after being paid, the woman said. She told law enforcement that Yoss would “usually ask for $40 dollars and say she needed it for gas, food, rent, etc.” and claim she would “clean for free next time,” according to the complaint. However, each time Yoss returned to clean, she would then “always asked to be paid $75 again for her services,” the complaint said.

Throughout the two years Yoss cleaned for the woman, she had received “approximately $5,000,” deputies said, and the couple was not repaid “either in monetary increments or by services rendered.”

The elderly couple said that over the two years, they believe Yoss also made fraudulent purchases on their debit card and stole items from their home, including medications, because she was the only person who had access to their card—which they had given to her to buy gas—and their home.

Yoss has been charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person. She is being held in North Central Regional Jail.

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