An Ithaca woman faces charges for allegedly embezzling from a vulnerable adult she was appointed to protect. Cheryl Colburn, 65, was arraigned earlier this week on charges of embezzling between $1,000 and $20,000 from a vulnerable adult, a crime that could result in a 5-year felony sentence, as Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced.
As per the Michigan Attorney General's office, Colburn exploited her position as the professional guardian and conservator of the victim by allegedly keeping the victim’s property, including a utility trailer, an Arctic Cat ATV, and a moped, for her ohn benefit. "When professional guardians and conservators exploit their roles for personal gain, it not only harms those they are supposed to protect but undermines the integrity of the entire profession," Nessel said in a statement.
Colburn's official role as the victim's guardian and conservator spanned from 2021 until the victim's death in April of 2023. During her tenure, she allegedly transferred items belonging to the victim to her own residence, which were not reported in mandatory filings with the probate court.
The next court appearance for Colburn is scheduled for July 31, where she will participate in a Probable Cause Conference at 10 a.m. Following this, a preliminary exam is set for August 6 at 12:30 p.m., as the judicial process proceeds. These court dates represent critical junctures in a case that has drawn attention to the treatment of vulnerable individuals under the care of assigned guardians.
