Stafford Woman Facing Felony Larceny Charge In State Benefits Ineligibility Case

STAFFORD, CT — A Stafford woman is accused of racking up bogus benefits from the state so extensively that she is now facing a first-degree larceny charge.

That's a felony in Connecticut.

Though a warrant did not give the exact amount, the tab on first-degree larceny in Connecticut is at least $20,000. A person also can be charged with the crime after obtaining property through extortion, or defrauding a public community with property valued at more than $2,000.

Conviction can result in a prison sentence of one to 20 years and fines up to $15,000.

On July 16, a warrant was served to 25-year-old Mara Dilley, state police said. She posted a $50,000 bond and is due to appear in Rockville Superior Cout on July 29, records show.

Dilley is accused of obtaining state benefits under false pretenses from the Care 4 Kids program. Care 4 Kids is designed to assist low- to moderate-income families in Connecticut pay for child care costs. The program is sponsored by the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood.

Families making less than 60 percent of the state median income are eligible, according to a warrant. State police began investigating Dilley after the Connecticut Department of Social Services received a tip about possible abuse of the system, according to a warrant.

According to a warrant, Dilley stated she was living alone with her children, when in fact, she was living with the father of her children, thus the "household" was making too much money, according to a warrant.