NEVADA, Iowa -- A judge says a Boone woman convicted of stealing more than $50,000 from an elderly woman's retirement fund must stay in prison.

Michele Hefler was sentenced to ten years in prison for first-degree theft in December.

A judge last week rejected her request for a reconsideration of sentence.

Hefler and Doris Anderson, of Granger, were accused of taking advantage of 88-year-old Bertha Hainline, of Elkhart, in 2007. Authorities say the two women took Hainline to banks in Story and
Polk counties and coerced her into withdrawing money from her retirement account.

Anderson pleaded guilty to first-degree theft and was given a suspended sentence.

    
    (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)