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Area Woman Accused of Stealing Over $50,000 from Veterinary Practice

CENTER TWP., Pa. – A Graceton woman has been charged following an investigation into the theft of more than $50,000 in funds from a veterinary practice in Indiana County.

Michelle D. Bowman, 46, was charged on May 25 with felony counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking, Receiving Stolen Property, and Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received.

Bowman was arraigned on May 25 before Magisterial District Judge Susanne V. Steffee and was remanded to the Indiana County Jail in lieu of $50,000 monetary bail. Bail was posted later that day.

On February 1, 2023, the owner of Frazer Veterinary Hospital, 33 Six Flat Road, reported to Troop A, Indiana that Bowman, a former employee, had stolen money from the practice.

An internal investigation showed that Bowman committed the thefts over several years by deleting electronic invoices and removing the same amount of cash from the cash drawer, thus resulting in a balance at the end of Bowman’s shifts.

Following a review of financial records, Bowman is believed to have stolen in excess of $50,000 from the practice from the year 2013 to 2022.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 6 at 10:00 a.m.