A Batavia woman has been convicted of stealing money from her elderly mother’s bank account.

Monica T. Ogen, 54, of the 1-99 block of North Mallory Street, Batavia, was convicted late Tuesday, July 14, 2015, by a Kane County jury, of financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person, a Class 2 felony.

Prosecutors presented evidence that between Aug. 3, 2009, and June 9, 2010, Ogen, without permission, took money from her elderly and infirm mother, who was in a care center, and used it for herself. Ogen spent much of the money on clothing, at restaurants and at bars. On one occasion she spent $2,295 at Home Depot, and she made a series of transactions at Carson-Pirie-Scott worth about $1,400. On at least four occasions she withdrew $1,600 from her mother’s bank account and deposited the money directly into her own account.

In total, Ogen took between $15,000 and $20,000, including more than $13,000 in cash withdrawals. After she was charged, Ogen admitted under oath that she’d taken the money without permission and wrote a letter of apology to her mother. Her mother died in 2012.

Circuit Judge Susan Clancy Boles set Ogen’s next court appearance for 9 a.m. Sept. 9, 2015, for motions and sentencing. She could be sentenced to probation, jail, a combination of probation and jail, or between three and seven years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. In addition she could be ordered to pay restitution to her mother’s trust.

Ogen remains free on bond.

The case was prosecuted by Kane County Assistant State’s Attorneys Andrew Whitfield and Bridget Sabbia.

“As our population grows older and the number of elderly people in our community increases, so does the opportunity to exploit them. But anyone who sees an elder as an easy target should know that this office makes a priority of defending the most vulnerable among us,” Kane County State’s Attorney Joe McMahon said.

SOURCE: Kane County State’s Attorney’s Office press release