After she started hanging out with the wrong crowd, Savannah Kalee Wedhorn began stealing from family members by using their credit cards at the Co-op to purchase munchies and fuel.
Wedhorn made many small purchases during a two-month period before her thefts were discovered, and she was later ordered to appear in court.
In Moose Jaw provincial court on May 13, Wedhorn, 21, pleaded guilty to false pretences by defrauding her adopted mother of $489.16, false pretences by defrauding her grandmother of $55.63, and failing to attend court. In turn, she received a conditional discharge — where no punishment is imposed — and will have to pay back the money.
The main offence of purchasing munchies and fuel using stolen credit cards took place between Sept. 19, 2017 and Oct. 5, 2017, while the fail to attend court charge occurred on Nov. 27, 2017, explained Crown prosecutor Robbie Parker.
Wedhorn, from Indian Head, used her mother’s credit card at the Co-op to purchase fuel, beef jerky, pop, chips, and other snack foods, he continued. Wedhorn was later co-operative with police during their investigation. She was referred to alternative measures —a way to make amends without going to jail — but did not meet with program officials to deal with the issues.
“This is a family situation,” Parker pointed out. “I never know how to characterize that. To a certain extent it’s not aggravating, but … these are individuals who shouldn’t be victimized by their family members.”
There is a strained relationship between Wedhorn and her mother, he said. Both the mother and grandmother submitted victim impact statements explaining how they have been affected. All the Crown wants is for Wedhorn to pay restitution to her adopted mother and to the estate of her grandmother, who is now dead.
Wedhorn has no previous criminal record, while this is an internal family matter, Parker added. She also pleaded guilty to her crimes and co-operated with police. A conditional discharge is acceptable.
“I fell into the wrong crowd. I was doing stupid things and I had no money,” Wedhorn told Judge Daryl Rayner, adding she was less mature at the time.
“What you did, because it’s against your mom and grandmother, it’s a little bit worse,” Rayner said. “Taking advantage of them is a little bit worse.”
Wedhorn admitted that she is ashamed of what she did. She became emotional as she noted that her mother won’t talk to her.
Rayner replied that he hoped the two women could resolve their differences. He accepted the Crown’s recommendation, while he gave Wedhorn nine months to pay back the money.
Provincial court next sits on May 15.
