Caledonia police say the caregiver for a woman suffering from dementia stole over $39,000 in jewelry from her.
Malta Valle, 28, of Racine, had her initial appearance Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court postponed so she could get a lawyer. She is facing a single felony count of moveable theft. If convicted, she could spend up to 10 years in prison and/or have to pay up to $25,000 in fines.
According to the criminal complaint, family members of an elderly woman with dementia last May noticed some her jewelry was missing after she started receiving in-home nursing assistance from Valle. When police questioned her, Valle admitted to pawning the woman’s jewelry and said she did it to pay for an apartment so she could get her kids back.
The total amount of jewelry stolen totaled $39,330, the complaint reads.
Valle was scheduled to be in court Thursday for her initial appearance, but it was rescheduled to Nov. 7 so she can obtain legal counsel.