GARDNERVILLE " A Carson City woman pleaded guilty Tuesday in East Fork Justice Court to grand larceny, admitting she took nearly $6,500 in checks and cash withdrawals from an 82-year-old woman for whom she worked.
Danah C. Cain faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine plus restitution at her sentencing Jan. 20. She also is eligible for probation.
"I was working as a caretaker for (the victim). I used her debit cards for personal reasons. I signed some checks for my personal gain," Cain told District Judge Dave Gamble.
Cain disagreed with the restitution amount of $6,434.50, but said she agreed to pay it as part of a plea bargain.
The victim's daughter told investigators her mother suffered from dimentia and Alzheimer's disease. The younger woman said discrepancies began showing up in the victim's bank accounts after Cain went to work as her caregiver.
The thefts occurred between May and July.
According to reports, Cain told investigators she was traveling between Dayton and Gardnerville and gas mileage ate into her finances. She said she had no child support from her ex-husband and lost her house.
Cain said she began gambling and lost $3,000 which she attempted to repay through the victim's money.
Also in court Tuesday, a 19-year-old Carson City man pleaded guilty to attempted theft, admitting he stole video games from Target.
The offense may be treated as a felony or gross misdemeanor at sentencing Feb. 3.
District Judge Dave Gamble told Brooks Greenlee to get a job and said he didn't buy the 19-year-old defendant's story that he "was in a tight spot."
"I stole video games and blu ray discs to pay for food and gas money," Greenlee said. "I was looking for a job. I just got laid off."
Records indicate Greenlee has two prior shoplifting arrests.
Lawyer Tod Young said Greenlee's mother was a major in the Nevada National Guard. He presented a letter that indicated Greenlee wanted to join the Guard prior to his arrest.
"You need to get a job," Gamble said. "What we don't need in the National Guard are a few more thieves."