A 25-year-old woman has been arrested and charged with forgery after authorities say she deposited a resident’s rent check into her own bank account while working at an assisted living facility in the Idaho Falls area.
Hannah M. Bye was employed at Homestead Assisted Living Center for roughly one month, from late May 2021 through late June 2021. On July 2, 2021, St. Anthony Police responded to the facility following a report of employee theft.
According to charging documents, Bye deposited an $825 check written for a resident’s June rent payment. The check bore alterations that appeared suspicious: Bye’s name had been added in handwriting different from the victim’s signature, memo line, and amount notation. The reverse side of the check also contained initials “H” and “B” along with the phrase “for the deposit only at Bank of America.” Bye then deposited the check via mobile deposit into her own Bank of America account.
When questioned by officers, Bye claimed the resident had given her the check and told her it was for her own use. She also asserted that residents commonly provided her with money, though she could not provide specific examples to support that claim.
The victim disputed Bye’s account. She stated she did not recognize Bye and that the two were not close. When asked whether the situation could have been a mistake, the victim responded, “No, I’m not that stupid,” according to documents obtained by East Idaho News.
An arrest warrant was issued on August 2, 2021. However, Bye was not taken into custody until June 26 of the current year, when she was arrested by another agency on an outstanding Fremont County warrant.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Bye faces one felony count of forgery. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 14 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. Ben Mason is representing Bye as her defense attorney.
A court appearance has been scheduled for Wednesday. The case marks another example of financial exploitation within care facilities, an area of concern for law enforcement and regulatory agencies across Idaho.
What Comes Next
The case will proceed through Bonneville County District Court. Bye’s defense attorney will have the opportunity to present her side during the upcoming court hearing. Additional details regarding the investigation and potential aggravating factors may emerge during the legal process.