A former caregiver who stole a diamond ring off the finger of an 80-year-old dependent will be sentenced Thursday in Jefferson County.
Ebony Michelle Butler, 22, of Arvada pleaded guilty in September to felony theft from an at-risk adult, according to the Jefferson County district attorney’s office.
Butler worked as a caregiver at Spring Ridge Park in Wheat Ridge when she stole the diamond ring and pawned it, said Pam Russell, spokeswoman for the DA’s office, in a press release.
Jean Mayer, the victim, had advanced Alzheimer’s disease at the time of the theft. She passed away shortly after criminal charges against Butler were filed.
Mayer’s husband of 60 years, Russell, noticed the ring his wife had worn for 35 years was missing from her hand when he picked her up for church one Sunday morning, Russell said. The ring had been a gift from him on a wedding anniversary.
Butler also has pleaded guilty to theft and providing false information to a pawnbroker, both felonies.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com
