Personal care attendant charged with theft

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A 29-year-old Lakeville woman has been charged with taking jewelry and drugs including vicodin and hydrocodone from a Farmington woman she was caring for.

Kristen Michelle Poppa’s employer called Farmington police in April to report concerns that she had been stealing from a patient who has multiple sclerosis.

The patient’s husband told police Poppa spends most of the day with his wife while he is at work. He told police he tracked the number of pills his wife had, and noticed them disappearing faster than they should.

Poppa also reportedly pawned a bracelet and other jewelry that matched the description of items that had disappeared from the patient’s house.

According to a complaint filed in the Dakota County Attorney’s office Poppa talked with police on April 14 and admitted taking jewelry from the patient’s house and pawning it. She denied taking vicodin.

If convicted on a charge of stealing a controlled substance, Poppa could face up to 10 years in jail and fines of up to $20,000. A felony theft charge carries a maximum sentence of five years and fines of up to $10,000.

Tags: crime and courts, news, crime