LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. — A Lebanon County woman has been charged with theft by deception after allegedly charging $500 for psychic services that weren't provided.
According to the Palmyra Borough Police Department, on March 2 officers were dispatched to a complaint of fraud.
The victim told police that she had visited Psychic World at 501 East Main Street in Palmyra on Feb. 23. During a tarot card reading for her and her husband, the victim claimed, the psychic drew the "death card" and told the victim her husband had four months to live.
The psychic, Billie Loren Mitchell, 25, of Lebanon, allegedly told the couple she could perform a "cleansing ritual" that would save the life of the victim's husband, but the price was $500.
The victim's husband went to the bank and withdrew $500, which they gave to Mitchell, who promised to perform the ritual to save the victim's husband's life. She told the couple they did not need to be present for the ritual, so the couple left the business, according to police.
Later, police claim, Mitchell contacted the victim multiple times in an attempt to get more money. Police say Mitchell asked the victim for an additional $8,000, claiming she had already spent $1,700 on "holy water and supplies."
Police later interviewed Mitchell, who claimed not to remember all the details of her interactions with the victims. She did tell police she would offer to refund the victim's money, "or provide services for a year," according to the criminal complaint.
On April 27, Mitchell was charged with one count of theft by deception and one count of fortune telling.
