A home nurse has been sentenced to jail after Montgomery County police said that she stole valuable jewelry from an elderly patient.

Thirty-seven year old Elizabeth Johnson, was appointed to take care of 88 years r-old Rae Silbert as she recovered from back surgery earlier this year. Silbert told, "I was hospitalized for about 6 weeks," Silbert explained. "I came home and I had to have help."

For weeks, one healthcare worker lived with Silbert, but she was in time off, so Silbert's daughter, Marcy, temporarily hired Johnson through a private company.

According to Marcy, Johnson, "said all the right things" and did not have a criminal record. But within hours of leaving the house, Marcy informed that Johnson broke the trust.

Johnson entered into her bedroom and took four pieces of jewelry including an engagement ring from her late husband while Silbert was taking nap in a TV room.

Silbert said "I'm upset about all of them, particularly about the engagement ring."

Marcy said that she hid most of her mothers jewelry as a precaution, but she was not aware of the small box holding the rings. She added, "I just feel awful about it,"

The Silberts expected that they can find the engagement ring, but believed it to be sold when Johnson traveled overseas.

Police charged the health care worker with one count of theft. She was arrested on August 2 and released on $1,000 bond.

By Prakriti Neogi