Babysitter Charged with Stealing $80,000

David B. Fein, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut, today announced that Ashley Rose, 22, of Guilford, was arrested yesterday on a federal criminal complaint charging her with bank fraud in connection with a forgery scheme involving hundreds of stolen checks.

As alleged in the complaint, from approximately April 2011 to April 2012, Rose stole more than 250 checks from a married couple who employed Rose as a babysitter. Rose forged the signature of one of her employers on the stolen checks, made them payable in various amounts to herself and deposited them into her own bank account. She then made more than $80,000 ATM cash withdrawals from her account.

Following her arrest, Rose appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Holly B. Fitzsimmons in Bridgeport and was released on bond late yesterday afternoon.The charge of bank fraud carries a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years.

U.S. Attorney Fein stressed that a complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is entitled to have this matter presented to a grand jury and, in the event an indictment is returned, she is entitled to a trial at which it will be the Government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

This matter is being investigated by the United States Secret Service. The case is being pRosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry L. Quinn.