Mom who embezzled $400,000 from 9-year-old boy gets 8 months in jail

Christopher Haxel | Lansing State Journal

CHARLOTTE - A woman who admitted embezzling more than $400,000 from her nine-year-old son's medical trust will spend about eight months in jail.

Kasie Pruden-Rivera, 32, was sentenced Thursday to 237 days in jail by Eaton County Circuit Court by Judge John Maurer, according to court records.

She still owes nearly $320,000 in restitution and will spend five years on probation once she's released from jail.

Pruden-Rivera had faced up to 20 years in prison after pleading no contest to one count of embezzling more than $100,000. However, based on her limited criminal history, the sentencing guidelines called for two years or less, Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd previously said.

Her attorney did not respond to a message left Friday seeking comment.

Pruden-Rivera's son, Haiden Rivera, has cerebral palsy, permanent brain damage and other health problems, according to court records.

More: For embezzlers in Michigan, little time behind bars, little incentive to pay

At a hearing that led to the embezzlement charge, Eaton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Adam Simon testified that Pruden-Rivera received nearly $650,000 on behalf of her son as part of a settlement after Haiden suffered birth trauma.

She spent about $240,000 on a house near Charlotte that is owned by her son's estate, but investigators could not find any other justifiable expenses, Simon testified.

“The rest of the money is unaccounted for and nobody can get her to call them back,” the deputy said.

Pruden-Rivera also pleaded guilty to one count each of animal cruelty and having unlicensed dogs. Both are misdemeanors, and she'll be prohibited from owning a pet for five years, court records show.

Related: Mom admits embezzling $400,000 from 9-year-old son's medical trust

Pruden-Rivera's ex-husband was granted custody of Haiden and the couple's other son earlier this year, according to court records.

Child protective services workers had previously placed the children into the man's care on a temporary basis after finding animal feces, rotting food, garbage and dirty diapers throughout Pruden-Rivera's residence, the court records show.

Contact Christopher Haxel at 517-377-1261 or chaxel@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisHaxel.