BUCYRUS — Jessica Monk, 27, of Galion was sentenced Wednesday in Crawford County Common Pleas Court for theft and place her in the prosecutor’s diversion program.

“Because Miss Monk is not prison eligible, this diversion program is our best opportunity to make sure restitution is made to Monk’s victims,” Crawford County Assistant Prosecutor Ryan Hoovler said.

Monk, while working as a home health aide, tended for a patient with multiple sclerosis and stole $834 from her victim and victim’s 84-year-old mother. The victim, her mother and her sister appeared in court during the sentencing to make victim impact statements.

“They feel betrayed by Miss Monk who violated their trust,” Hoovler said. “I explained to them that we will have better control over Miss Monk to make sure she makes restitution and stays out of trouble in my diversion program”.

Common Pleas Court Judge Sean Leuthold let the victims speak before sentencing. The first statement came from the sister and daughter of the victims.

She explained how Monk seemed to be an answer to their prayers and they trusted her.

In July 2015, Monk explained to the victim that if she were to get her State Trained Nursing Assistant License, her client’s insurance would pay for her services. Believing this, the victim, made a decision to help Monk with her tuition. She gave Monk a $100 down payment and $235 for half of the tuition. Monk cashed the checks, but never attended school.

However, she led her victims to believe she was in school and even took a gift card for $100 from them as a graduation gift. Shortly, thereafter, Monk stopped showing for work and would not return phone calls from the family.

“I trusted you with my most precious thing, my daughter,” the mother of the victim said said. “You are a lost soul and I don’t know if you can ever find redemption for what you have done.”

It was also revealed that Monk overbilled the family for her hours, and billed for hours and times she was not there. The victim’s mother — trusting Monk — made out the checks for whatever amount Monk declared.

“I wish I could send her to prison,” Leuthold said, then explained why he was not able to do that. “That is why I am going to impose the prosecutor’s diversion program. We will put extra stipulations on her and I will make sure she makes restitution.”

Leuthold put Probation Officer Eric Bohach on the case to assist the prosecutor’s office.

“I want her monitored and tested often,” Leuthold said.

He called Monk and liar and a thief.

“Thank your lucky stars I can’t do to you what I’d like to do, which is put you in prison,” Leuthold said. “I’m not sure how you look at yourself in the mirror.”

Agreeing with the victims, Leuthold said he wasn’t sure there was redemption for Monk. He called restitution a good start toward that. He also forbade Monk from holding any employment in the health care field. He also promised her a lengthy jail term is she does not successfully complete the diversion program.

“From this point on, your time and your money is my business, and you will pay these folks back for what you have stolen from them,” the judge said.