Police: Woman Stole from Disabled Father Because 'Things Got Rough'

A Racine woman is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from her father who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

Cari Bush, 48, of Racine, was charged Thursday in Racine County Circuit Court with felony theft, greater than $5,000 and felony identity theft for financial gain. If convicted, she faces up to 12 years in prison and/or up to $20,000 in fines. 

According to the criminal complaint, Mount Pleasant police were called on April 25 to the home of Bush's father by another sibling because the father's wallet was being returned by the Racine Police Department. It was then discovered that someone had used the father's debit card at several local ATM machines.

Investigators obtained photos from those ATM locations and determined that Bush was the one using the debit card, the complaint reads.

Police say they interviewed Bush, and she admitted to taking her father's money without his permission because "things had gotten rough" taking care of her father who has Alzheimer's and her mother who has Parkinson's. 

Bush had her initial appearance Thursday and was assigned a $7,500 signature bond with the condition that she not have any contact with the victim. Her preliminary hearing is set for July 3.