A woman who allegedly stole more than $9,000 over nearly eight months from a woman she knew pleaded not guilty Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Dolores Tritle, 52, is charged with two counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

Court documents state Tritle was charged after a detective received a referral for investigation on a case involving potential financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult on June 29.

The alleged victim had reportedly lived at a local nursing home since November and needed 24-hour care. Tritle had been named the woman’s power of attorney.

Court documents state 16 withdrawals from the alleged victim’s account that corresponded with deposits into Tritle’s account from November to July totaled more than $9,000.

Tritle reportedly provided no documentation to support the need for the withdrawals at the time the court document was filed and refused to respond to requests made by the Department of Human Services and law enforcement.

Court documents state bank records do not have any obvious withdrawals that could correspond with upkeep or home repairs, and no payments were made to the nursing home for the private pay portion of the alleged victim’s placement at the time Tritle was charged.

A settlement conference is scheduled for March 8, and a jury trial is scheduled to start May 15, if the case has not been settled by then.