FAIRMONT — A Rake, Iowa, woman is facing a felony charge in Martin County.

Alisa Louise Schroeder, 57, has been charged with financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the complaint:

On Oct. 28, a Fairmont police officer was contacted by an adult protection worker from Human Services of Faribault and Martin Counties. The worker explained that Human Services received a report on Aug. 30 that a vulnerable adult had been the victim of theft by her adult daughter, identified as Schroeder. The report indicated Schroeder had been taking care of the woman’s finances, but had written a few checks to herself and may have taken about $10,000.

On Nov. 6, the officer met with the worker, who explained that Schroeder’s mother had previously lived in Wells, then moved to Blue Earth, where she lived until July 23, 2018. She said the woman was eventually moved to the Ingleside nursing home in Fairmont.

The officer and worker determined the woman had granted Schroeder power of attorney on June 14, 2018, then revoked it on Aug. 15, 2019.

The officer reviewed records of the woman’s checking account, which indicated that on July 24, 2018, a check was written to Bruss-Heinter Funeral Home in the amount of $7,824. The officer was advised that two of the woman’s relatives indicated Schroeder had authorized the check to the funeral home to “pre-pay” for her funeral expenses. They explained, however, that they informed Schroeder that the woman’s funeral arrangements were already covered.

The officer discovered that the $7,824 check was never cashed by the funeral home and was returned to Schroeder. The officer further determined that the money was returned to the woman’s bank account.

The records, however, also showed that on Aug. 20, 2018, New Life Manor, a facility in Blue Earth where the woman had previously lived, had issued a reimbursement check to the woman for her security deposit and rent. The check was in the amount of $665. A review of the records showed that both the woman and Schroeder had signed the check and Schroeder had then cashed the check at a bank in Titonka, Iowa, and kept the money.

The officer further determined that on Oct. 12, 2018, a check was written from the woman’s bank account in the amount of $7,824, payable to Schroeder. Records indicate Schroeder also cashed this check at a bank in Titonka, Iowa.

The officer and the worker reviewed the woman’s medical records, which showed the woman has a major cognitive disorder and is in the memory care unit at the Ingleside nursing home.

On Dec. 4, 2019, the officer and worker drove to the city of Rake, Iowa, where Schroeder lives. They met Schroeder at her home and Schroeder admitted her mother’s bank in Minnesota had issued her a check in the amount of $7,824 on Oct. 12, 2018. She indicated she put the money in her own savings account. When asked where the money was currently, she replied, “It’s gone actually.” When asked what she used the money for, Schroeder replied, “Um, helping my girls, I guess.”

She further admitted using the money to live. When asked about the check for $665, Schroeder said it too was spent.