PD: Mom stole $200k from disabled daughter's trust fund

SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) -- Police say a Southington mother stole more than $200,000 from her disabled daughter. She's accused of taking the money out of a trust fund and putting it in her own checking account.

Judging from the picture, you can clearly tell Joan Wilkinson is in trouble. The disturbing part is she is accussed of embezzling money meant for her disabled child.

"Joan Wilkinson, in 2005, became trustee of her special needs daughter's trust fund. Of a period of five years, from 2005 from approximately 2011, she took money from that trust fund, and deposited it into her own account, and used it for her own personal reasons, instead of using it for her daughter's benefit," said Lt. Michael Baribault, Southington Police Dept.

Southington's Police Department was contacted by the State Department of Social Services when they noticed something odd, which sparked an investigation. It was later learned 200,000 dollars had been taken.

"Whenever they have someone under their care, and under their custody, they track the money spent on these individuals, because of the trust funds," said Lt. Baribault.

We wanted answers as to how this could, allegedly, happen.  So we went to Wilkinson's home on Mount Vernon Road, knocked, waited, but no one came to the door. We are told, however, that Wilkinson turned herself in after learning of the arrest warrant and has posted bond.

"She has been cooperative with this investigation, she turned herself in to us without any incident, the case is now in court and in their hands," said Lt. Baribault.

Wilkinson was charged with larceny and money laundering, which are both felonies. Her bond was set at $25,000. She's due in court March 8 in Bristol.