Prosecutors say a Round Lake woman, who is a caretaker, took a credit card belonging to an elderly woman with dementia and used it to make multiple large purchases.
Wilmarie Castaneda, 39, of Round Lake, was charged with one count of felony identity theft.
Lake County Assistant State’s Attorney Mary Daly said an identity theft was committed in October involving an 84-year-old victim who has dementia.
Castaneda is a home care worker for the victim’s neighbor and helps the victim out occasionally.
A family member of the victim noticed there were credit card purchases over $500 that were not made by the victim, Daly said.
One of the transactions was for over $1,100 at an auto and tire shop in Ingleside.
The business reported that Castaneda had work done on her own vehicle at the shop, Daly said.
A purchase was made on the victim’s credit card at a grocery store for almost $300.
Daly said surveillance video showed a woman, matching the identity of Castaneda, wearing healthcare scrubs making the purchase.
Castaneda told investigators that she took the victim’s credit card but claimed she had permission to do so.
The victim reported her credit card was missing and she never said she let Castaneda take the card, Daly said.
Castaneda is reportedly on probation for an organized fraud offense out of Lee County, Florida.
Lake County Judge Theodore Potkonjak ordered Castaneda held on a $100,000 bond.
Castaneda remains held in the Lake County Jail and would need to post $10,000 cash in order to be released.
A status of attorney hearing is scheduled for April 21.