Niece sentenced after stealing $800,000 from 96-year-old aunt

A Connecticut woman who stole $800,000 from her elderly Boone County aunt avoided prison time during her sentencing Thursday in Boone County Circuit Court.

Margaret Beam, 76, pleaded guilty earlier this year to embezzlement. Boone County Prosecutor Keith Randolph said Beam came from Connecticut to gain power of attorney from her aunt and then began taking money from her. The victim is now 96-years-old.

The judge sentenced Beam Thursday to 1-10 years in prison but suspended the sentence and ordered her on probation for five years. She has to pay all of the money back. The court ordered payments of $500 a month.

Prosecutor Randolph said an alert neighbor noticed the victim was having some financial problems and got suspicious. He contacted State Police.

Randolph said a significant portion of the stolen money has been retrieved. He said the victim can now get some relief. He said she was worried after the theft she wouldn’t have enough money to pay for her own funeral.

Prosecutor Randolph said Beam’s age was taken into consideration as part of her sentencing.