Administrator Stole Link Cards From Developmentally Disabled Adults: State's Attorney

Caption: Nakima L. Bell, 31, of Chicago, is facing felony aggravated identify theft and financial exploitation of a person with disabilities. | DuPage County Sheriff

An administrator employed by an organization caring for adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities is accused of taking Link cards from the safes of residential group homes and using the cards for her own personal use,, the DuPage County State’s Attorney’s Office announced.

Nakima L. Bell, 31, of Chicago, was charged with eight counts of aggravated identity theft and two counts of financial exploitation of a person with a disability, all felonies.

Bell worked for the Ray Graham Association’s corporate offices in Lisle where prosecutors said she had access to the safes of the organization’s satellite group homes. On Nov. 5, 2013, Naperville police met with Ray Graham officials , where an Illinois Link Card had turned up missing a few days before from a safe at the Naperville location, according to the allegations.

Several weeks later, on Nov. 27, 2013, another Link card turned up missing at a Downers Grove residential facility. A Downers Grove police investigation into the thefts led authorities to Bell, the charges said.

Sometime before Oct. 27, 2013, where the first card had disappeared, prosecutors allege that Bell opened the safe at the Naperville location and took the Illinois Link Card

Also, sometime between Nov. 24 and Nov. 27, 2013, Bell allegedly opened another safe at the Downers Grove group home and took a Link card.

Prosecutors say that Bell used both stolen cards to buy $300 worth groceries and gasoline on each card.

“For thousands of disabled individuals, the Ray Graham Association provides safety, comfort, support and a sense of independence,” Berlin said in a written statement. “They provide a tremendous service for their residents and their families and the very idea that anyone, let alone an employee, would steal from these individuals is revolting.”

Bell appeared in bond court in Wheaton on Monday where bail was set at $75,000. Her arraignment is set for Oct. 20 in front of Judge Robert Kleeman.