A Butler care home manager is accused of stealing more than $20,000 from a resident.

Diane R. McFeaters, 58, of Butler admitted taking checks belonging to George Downs at the Washington Manor Personal Care Home and forging his name, city police said, before depositing them into her bank account.

Police on Thursday arrested McFeaters, who was later arraigned on felony charges of theft and 51 counts of forgery. She was released on a nonmonetary bail following arraignment.

The alleged theft came to light last month after Downs’ sister, who has power of attorney for him, reviewed his monthly bank statements, police said.

She discovered 51 checks written between July 1, 2015, and March 31 that were made payable to McFeaters and deposited into McFeaters’ bank account, according to court documents.

In all, police said, the alleged fraudulent checks totaled $21,850. Downs’ sister immediately contacted police.

Lt. Detective Antony Fatta spoke to Downs, 66, who said he never authorized McFeaters to write or cash the checks.

“(Downs) also stated that he did not sign the checks or receive any of the money that was removed from his bank account,” Fatta said in charging documents.

In a police affidavit, McFeaters is identified as the manager at the care home on South Washington Street.

Police believe the thefts began soon after Downs moved in last summer.

Fatta on Wednesday got a search warrant for McFeaters’ bank statements, documents said, and confirmed the suspected fraudulent checks.

Later that day, police said, Fatta interviewed McFeaters. who confessed.

Fatta did not know what McFeaters did with the money, but it appears it is gone.

“The bank statements reflect that she does not have a lot of money,” he said.

The Butler Eagle could not reach McFeaters for comment. A telephone call Friday to the care home was answered by a woman, who did not give her name and declined to comment.

“We’d rather not talk about that,” the woman said when asked about the charges against McFeaters.

A preliminary hearing is set for April 18 before District Judge William Fullerton.