Woman Allegedly Steals $250K From Uncle With Dementia: State's Attorney

Bond was set Wednesday for a Villa Park woman who allegedly stole nearly a quarter of a million dollars from her uncle with dementia, DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin announced.

Sharon Cermak, 60, was charged with one count of financial exploitation of an elderly person after being arrested for the act against her family member, who was more than 80 years old at the time of the theft. Judge Richard Russo set her bond at $100,000 Wednesday, with 10 percent to apply, Berlin stated in a release.

Cermak reportedly began stealing from her uncle in 2013, when she gained power of attorney over his affairs, Berlin said. She allegedly took money from his accounts through writing checks to herself and others and using her uncle's debit card to withdraw cash she used for personal expenses.

The stealing was only uncovered by DuPage Adult Protective Services officials in 2015, Berlin explained.

Cermak's uncle has since died.

“If these allegations are proven true, Sharon Cermak took advantage of the trust placed in her by an elderly uncle to line her own pockets,” Berlin said in the release. “I would like to thank officials with the DuPage County Adult Protective Services for their efforts in not only uncovering Ms. Cermak’s alleged scheme, but also for their assistance throughout this entire investigation. I would also like to thank the DuPage County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance as well as Assistant State’s Attorney Diane Michalak for her work on this complicated case.”

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