McHenry caregiver ordered to pay back almost $37,000 from elderly woman in theft plea

A McHenry woman pleaded guilty to misdemeanor theft and was sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay back her elderly victim the almost $37,000 police said she stole while working as the woman’s caregiver.

Maria Bell, 46, also was sentenced Friday to 178 days in the county jail. However, the jail term was stayed as long as she completes terms of her probation, including paying back the woman $36,853.88 in restitution. Bell was required to pay $20,000 immediately and $450 monthly until the balance is paid off, according to the misdemeanor sentencing order filed in McHenry County court.

Bell also was ordered not to ingest illegal drugs and is subject to random drug tests, which must be negative, according to the order.

She initially was charged with more serious felony charges of aggravated identity theft of a person older than 60 years old involving between $10,000 and $100,000, a Class 1 felony, as well as theft involving the same amount, according to the criminal complaint. Had she been convicted of the more serious felony, she could have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. The charge also is probational.

The offense to which she admitted said that between December 2021 and January 2023, Bell “exerted unauthorized control” of no more than $500, according to the information on file. The woman was 76 years old at the time of the offense.

The initial complaint said Bell “knowingly and intentionally” used a Home State Bank debit card belonging to the woman “without her consent.” Bell was accused of “fraudulently” withdrawing more than $30,000 through an ATM, according to the criminal complaint.

Bell was “the caregiver for the victim for several years,” Crystal Lake Deputy Police Chief Richard Neumann said. “[They] were not related. The victim discovered the criminal acts while meeting with her financial adviser.”