by Zech Sindt
Debra Ann Hebrink, 68, faces five felony counts of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult and one felony count of theft by swindle in Fillmore County District Court. Her first appearance is scheduled for October 14.
The Fillmore County Sheriff’s Office opened the case after receiving a report from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center on January 7. The report alleged that Hebrink misused funds belonging to her father. Fillmore County Social Services joined the investigation.
Bank records showed that the man’s home was sold in June 2022 for $169,000 and the money was deposited into his account. He rented the home from the buyer until moving into Harmony Place assisted living in May 2024. After that move, investigators noted a pattern of withdrawals and purchases that did not match his past spending habits.
On January 21, 2025, investigators met with Hebrink at the county office building in Preston. She was advised that she was not under arrest and that she was free to leave at any time. Officials reminded her that as power of attorney, she was required to keep receipts showing how her father’s funds were used. She replied, “Well, nobody told me that I need to keep every little bitty receipt.”
Records show a series of purchases between April 2024 and January 2025 that investigators say were for Hebrink’s personal benefit or for other family members.
Restaurant spending totaled $2,213 at local establishments and national chains. When asked about the dining, Hebrink told investigators, “I had to eat.” During that same time, about $11,195 was withdrawn as cash, with deposits in similar amounts appearing in her personal account. She admitted the withdrawals were for her to live on, explaining that she was unable to work and relied only on Social Security. When asked if her father was aware of the cash being taken out, she said, “He doesn’t want to know any of that.”
Investigators also found payments for Hebrink’s car insurance and repairs, totaling more than $3,300. A $1,782 purchase at Slumberland was confirmed by Hebrink as a bed for her adult son. She also admitted to using $4,455 for her granddaughter’s orthodontic care.
Other spending included $3,671 at convenience stores and purchases at Walmart, Target, Scheel’s, and other retailers. Payments were also made to an online beauty store, a local community education program, and toward what appeared to be one of Hebrink’s loans. Two checks totaling $675 were written, which she said were to help her grandson.
On January 27, investigators and social services staff met with the victim at his assisted living apartment. He said he has short-term memory problems and did not know about the orthodontist payments, the bed, or the car expenses. When asked if he knew that his daughter was using his money to pay her rent, he said, “No, I didn’t know. I don’t know what she used or took off. Really, I don’t.”
By December 2024, the account was fully depleted. With no remaining funds, the man was forced to apply for assistance to cover rent at Harmony Place.
The complaint breaks down the losses in two stages. Between April and October 2024, Hebrink made unauthorized purchases totaling $28,134. From October 5, 2024, through January 2, 2025, she spent another $11,073. In total, she is accused of misusing $39,207 of her father’s money.
The most serious charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $100,000 fine. Other charges carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and $20,000 fines.
Court records show Hebrink’s first appearance is scheduled for October 14 at 1:30 p.m. before Judge Jeremy Clinefelter.
Full Article & Source:
Investigators Say Harmony Woman Drained Father’s Account of $39,000
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