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Cheryl Risley faces 26 felony charges that include exploiting a disabled or elderly person, identities theft, obtaining property by false pretense, uttering a forged instrument, and larceny.
Raleigh police say between July 2015 and October 2017, Risley took out a slew of credit cards in the name of 76-year-old Elsa Mumma and racked up thousands of dollars in charges.
Police allege Risley also signed up for a credit card using the name of Mumma's deceased husband, with which she charged more than $5,500 for various items and cellphone services.
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Arrest warrants allege Risley would steal money from Mumma's checking accounts to make payments toward those fraudulent cards.
In total, prosecutors told a Wake County district court judge Thursday, Risley stole more than $135,000 worth of items and cash.
Risley's attorney, Jesse Scharff, in an attempt to have her $400,000 secured bond lowered, told the judge there was a story behind the story.
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"A lot of what was purchased, it would be our contention, that it was for the home, for these two ladies and that the alleged victim consented to a lot of this stuff," Scharff said.
Mumma told ABC11 she bought her north Raleigh townhome in July 2015 and allowed Risley to live with her rent-free, saying she was helpful with cooking meals.
Police said Mumma's daughter reported the discrepancies in her mother's financial records when she discovered them in October.
Risley's bond remains at $400,000, with only $150,000 secured.
Her next court date is set for Jan. 4.