The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Police/Courts

October 8, 2008

Woman accused of forging adopted mom’s checks

Amelia A. Pridemore

A Fayette County woman is charged with 35 felonies after State Police say more than $23,000 in forged checks from her elderly adoptive mother’s account were passed in Raleigh County.

Denise R. Wentz, 37, of Layland, is charged with 35 counts of forgery and uttering, according to Senior Trooper R.A. Daniel. Wentz has been held at Southern Regional Jail since Sept. 29 in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Daniel said he received a forgery and uttering complaint from an 84-year-old Hinton woman Sept. 20. He then conducted an investigation that revealed more than $23,860.86 in unauthorized transactions from the woman’s account at City National Bank.

About 78 checks had been forged and passed at various places in Raleigh County, including two grocery stores, two different dollar stores and two different pharmacies, Daniel said. Most checks were written for cash, but some may have been used to make purchases.

Wentz, identified as the woman’s adopted daughter, has been arrested in connection with the crimes, Daniel said. The investigation is ongoing, and further charges are forthcoming.

— E-mail:

apridemore@register-herald.com

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