A Buchanan woman who worked as a caretaker and stole from a patient will spend 90 days in the Berrien County Jail, 120 days on the Michigan Department of Corrections monitoring program and four years of probation.  Her credit for time served is four days.

Jessica Bennett, 38, was charged with uttering and publishing and embezzling from a vulnerable adult, less than $20,000. She pleaded guilty as charged on June 28. Bennett was sentenced Monday in Berrien County Trial Court by Angela Pasula.

The charges stem from Bennett’s actions while caring for a woman who was bed ridden and suffering from multiple sclerosis.  Court documents stated that Between Nov. 1, 2016 and Feb. 28, 2017. Bennett used the victim’s checks and credit cards at multiple locations, including Great Clips, Walmart, Four Winds Casino, Family Dollar and Papa Johns.

“This was not a one-time mistake,” Pasula said, as she read through the list of charges. “You used it a number of times. Make no mistake. This is stealing.”

Bennett told Pasula that she suffered with drug abuse and had been receiving help to try and get clean and get her life back on track. She apologized before the judge for her actions.

“I was a drug addict and I have been in treatment since March 27,” Bennett said.

She broke down in tears as she apologized for the hurt she had caused.

“Since all this has happened, I have stopped using drugs. I’m sorry to the victim, who was so kind to me and did not deserve this one bit. That hurts me the most.”

Bennett’s defense attorney said that his client showed a history of drug usage, including meth and cocaine, but had been working to get clean. Currently she is enrolled in an adult treatment program.

While he said his client’s drug addictions was not an excuse for such behavior, he advocated for his client to be sentenced to work release so that she could work to pay the victim back. He said Bennett has so far paid the victim $900.

Pasula noted Bennett’s record, which includes 15 prior misdemeanors and three prior felonies. She also said Bennett had been formerly convicted of five theft related offenses.

“Drugs are not the culprit,” Pasula said. “It is your choice whether you used drugs or not.”

Citing Bennett’s history, Pasula criticized her for not making any effort to correct her criminal behavior.

In addition to jail time, Pasula ordered that Bennett be forbidden to serve as a caretaker or work in a position where she is in charge of money. Pasula also recommended a 15-month drug treatment program, and forbade her from entering any of the stores where she used the victim’s money.

A restitution hearing will take place at a later date.

Also sentenced Monday:

• Joseph Collige, 32, homeless, was charged with extortion and sentenced to 210 days in the Berrien County Jail and five years of probation.

• Devin Hays, 19, of Niles, was charged with second degree home invasion and resisting and obstructing an officer. He will serve a consecutive sentence of a minimum of 51 months to a maximum of 15 years in prison and 145 days in the Berrien County Jail, with credit for 145 days served.

• Michelle Davis, 34, of Niles,  was charged with domestic violence third offense. She will serve 75 days in the Berrien County Jail and two years of probation. She has credit for 43 days served.