CASSOPOLIS — A Niles woman who exploited an elderly Dowagiac woman is headed to jail.
Myrtle Adams, 87, said she “was surprised she didn’t have a heart attack” when she saw Becky Dehring trying to break into her home through a bathroom window in an attempt to steal opiates in December.
The home invasion has left Adams anxious and fearing future break-ins,  Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz said.
The incident resulted in a one-year prison sentence for Dehring and three years of probation, handed down Friday in Cass County Circuit Court. Dehring, 32, was also ordered to complete the Kalamazoo Probation Enhancement Program and pay $500 in restitution.
Adams said she took Dehring into her home for a time “no questions asked” and was disappointed to see the young woman take advantage of her. Dehring stole checks that she attempted to cash and took about $700 worth of Vicodin from her, Adams said.
Fitz said Dehring was “preying” on the elderly woman.
“She (Adams) should be able to enjoy the senior years of her life without fear and trepidation,” Fitz said.
Defense attorney Lawrence Quigley said his client has a “terrible substance abuse problem” and asked that Judge Michael Dodge give a sentence that would allow her to get the treatment she needs.
Dehring, who was emotional in court, could only choke out the words: “I’m sorry” during her comments.
Dehring’s sentencing guideline range called for a prison sentence, but Dodge deviated from the guidelines in order to fashion a more “proportionate and just outcome.”
Dodge said if Dehring had pleaded to breaking and entering rather than home invasion, her sentencing guidelines would have been drastically lower. The judge also said the defendant’s remorseful letter played a role in the lighter sentence.
Also on Friday, Nick Baker, of Niles, was given two years of probation for dealing marijuana in Cassopolis.