Woman sentenced for stealing $32K from elderly

HOUSTON

Kristen Bonnee is charged with theft and had already pleaded guilty to the crime. Judge Herb Ritchie called Bonnee's actions "reprehensible" as he sentenced her today to 18 years in prison and more than $32,000 in restitution for cleaning out the bank accounts of 91-year-old Geraldine Wellman.

During testimony in the sentencing hearing today, Wellman's daughter said her mother trusted and loved Bonnee. She said Wellman has been depressed and cries a lot now and spends most of her time in bed.

Wellman said that she trusted Bonnee and gave her gifts, and that she felt betrayed.

"It was hard for me to imagine that she would do something like that, but we all have to pay the price for breaking the law," Wellman told us after the sentencing.

Bonnee testified that financial problems clouded her judgement and led to her doing what she did. She said she was sorry to Wellman and said she wanted a chance to pay the money back.