Woman stole $25K from ill niece: police

A 38-year-old Winnipeg woman is facing fraud charges for taking money out of trust fund set up to help her critically-ill niece.

The woman, arrested on Wednesday,allegedly opened thebank account in April 2009 to accept public donations for her then-17-year-old niece.

The trust account was given exposure through media andfunds in excess of $25,000 were raised for future medical needs, police said, but did not reveal the nature of thegirl's illness.

When the niece checked the accountin November of that year, most of the money was gone.

Police allege the auntwithdrew a large portion of the donated funds for her own personal use between June and October 2009.

Only she and the teen girl were authorized to access the account.

The aunt has been released from police custody on a promise to appear in courton a future date.

Police said this type of fraud israre and they hope it doesn't preventpeoplefrom donating money to worthy causes.

The niece has since been moved to Montreal where her mother lives.

She is currently being cared for at the city's Royal Victoria Hospital.