Manager charged in thefts from Warrenville assisted-living home

A former manager at a Warrenville assisted-living home stole nearly $9,000 from four residents by using their bank cards without permission, authorities said Tuesday.

Linda Cottrell, 37, of the 800 block of Victory Lane in Justice, appeared in DuPage County bond court on a charge of financial exploitation of a disabled person. Her bail was set at $50,000 by Judge Elizabeth Sexton.

Prosecutors said Cottrell had access to a safe containing residents’ bank cards while she was employed as house manager at Cupertino Home on the 3S500 block of Warren Avenue.

Between December 2008 and December 2011, authorities allege, she made withdrawals ranging from $110 to $7,698 from four residents’ accounts. She is accused of taking $8,848 in total.

Cottrell was charged after another employee noticed discrepancies in the victims’ bank accounts and notified officials at Cupertino Home, the state’s attorney’s office said.

“What Ms. Cottrell is accused of is very serious and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” State’s Attorney Bob Berlin said in a news release. “People with disabilities rely on others for their day-to-day living and to steal from someone who has placed that amount of trust in you is just disgraceful.”

Cottrell remained in the county jail as of Wednesday morning and would need $5,000 to bond out. Her next court date is Oct. 29 before Judge Kathryn Creswell.