Ex-Assisted Living Worker Steals Cash From Residents
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A former worker in an assisted living home in Warrenville has admitted to using residents' ATM cards to steal thousands of dollars in cash from their accounts.
Linda Cottrell, of Justice, pleaded guilty to once count of Financial Exploitation of a Person With a Disability, according to a news release from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.
As House Manager at the Cupertino Home, Cottrell had access to a safe where, among other things, residents' ATM cards were kept.
On several occasions, between December, 2008 through December, 2011, Cottrell took residents' ATM cards from the safe without permission and withdrew money from their accounts, according to the release.
The thefts were discovered when a fellow employee noticed discrepancies in some of the residents' checking accounts.
Cottrell stole money from four victims in the amounts of $7,698.85, $515.40, $524.20 and $110.00 for a total of $8,848.45.
Cottrell could receive a sentence ranging from probation to seven years in prison.
