Centre Co. woman stole money from relative; claims she sent it to 'Kevin Costner'

Centre Co., PA (WJAC) — Authorities with the Spring Township Police Department have filed charges against a Bellefonte woman who allegedly admitted to stealing thousands of dollars from an 82-year-old relative.

Police say 52-year-old Carol Sumner is accused of stealing over $65,000 from the victim, over a period of several months.

During the course of the investigation, police learned that Sumner was also the subject of an investigation into a scam network in California.

Authorities say, according to the report, Sumner had allegedly admitted to sending tens-of-thousands of dollars to "various people on the internet," including an individual whom she believed to be "Yellowstone" actor Kevin Costner.

Police say after she was confronted about the thefts, she reportedly told police that she stole the money from the relative's account but claims that she "had permission to do so."

Investigators say Sumner later mentioned that she was "in a bad spot with the scammers" and told police, "just tell them I am guilty."

Authorities noted that Sumner's explanations for stealing the money where "all over the place" as she later claimed to have sent some of the money to Africa and to "other investments."

Police say Sumner eventually stated that she would pay back the missing funds after she told police, "yes, I screwed up.....just arrest me and be done."

According to online court records, Sumner was arraigned Wednesday on charges of financial exploitation of a dependent person, theft, unauthorized access and criminal use of a communication device.

She was released on unsecured $500,000 bail.

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