Hermitage — A woman who pleaded guilty to playing a role in a health care fraud scheme and was a couple of months away from the end of her federal probation agreed to have another year tacked on for failing to notify her probation officer that she was going on a cruise.

Danielle Fender, 36, whose current address is not available, pleaded guilty in March 2004 to a charge of health care fraud. She was an employee of Detelich Chiropractic and Advanced Medical and Holistic, both of Hermitage, and submitted fraudulent billings to Highmark Inc. for services that were not rendered.

Ms. Fender, formerly of Shenango Township, testified against her former boss, Brent J. Detelich, 39, formerly of Clark and Hermitage, and was sentenced in May 2007 to 2 years’ probation.

Detelich has appealed his conviction and 3-year prison sentence,

Ms. Fender’s probation officer said he was notified in January by the U.S. customs office she had been on a cruise to the Bahamas, and she admitted she had left the western district of Pennsylvania without permission.

Ms. Fender agreed to the 1-year extension of her probation, said U.S. Probation Officer Matthew L. Rea.