LANSING — The Michigan Court of Appeals has confirmed the convictions of Jessica Michelle Englebrecht, a former court-appointed guardian and conservator from Scottville, who embezzled over $20,000 from vulnerable adults in her care. This ruling supports the jury’s verdict from 2023 and the prison sentence handed down in early 2024, as announced by Attorney General Dana Nessel this week.
Englebrecht, now 38 years old, acted as guardian and/or conservator for several adults from 2017 to 2019. During this period, investigators discovered that she diverted thousands of dollars from the accounts of 10 vulnerable adults, funneled client funds into her personal bank account, and failed to fulfill critical responsibilities such as paying bills, providing spending money, and ensuring insurance and medical payments were maintained.
A Pattern of Abuse Uncovered
Concerns initially emerged in 2019 when Adult Protective Services (APS) and the Michigan State Police were notified about financial irregularities involving two wards residing at Krystal Manor, an adult foster care facility. Investigators quickly discovered a widespread trend of suspicious withdrawals, missing funds, and poorly organized or entirely absent financial records.
During the trial, witnesses—including APS personnel, law enforcement representatives, financial specialists, and subsequent guardians—described numerous cases of missing money, unpaid bills, and the personal use of client property. In one instance, Englebrecht put her name on the title of a ward’s vehicle and regularly drove it without authorization. In other cases, wards reported that they were not receiving their monthly allowances or were unable to contact Englebrecht for urgent needs.
A forensic accountant testified that tracking the funds was nearly impossible due to disorganized banking practices and the mixing of client money with Englebrecht’s personal accounts. In the end, over $24,000 in client funds remained unaccounted for.
Jury Verdict, Sentencing, and Appeal
In September 2023, a Mason County jury found Englebrecht guilty of:
- Eight counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $1,000–$20,000
- One count of embezzlement of $200–$1,000
- One count of embezzlement of under $200
- One count of caregiver commingling funds/obstructing investigations
In January 2024, Judge Susan Sniegowski sentenced Englebrecht to 35 months to 7 years in prison and ordered her to pay $21,409 in restitution. The sentence included consecutive terms reflecting the seriousness of the offenses and their impact on vulnerable adults.
During the appeal, Englebrecht challenged the sufficiency of the evidence, the effectiveness of her counsel, and the admission of certain business records at trial. The appellate court rejected all claims.
Court of Appeals: Evidence Was “Overwhelming”
In a detailed published opinion dated November 19, 2025, the three-judge appellate panel concluded that prosecutors presented more than enough evidence to support each conviction. The court cited:
- Repeated transfers of client money into Englebrecht’s personal account
- Missing funds documented across multiple wards
- Her inconsistent and contradictory explanations
- Failure to maintain required records
- Misuse of a ward’s vehicle
- Testimony from expert witnesses and successor guardians
The court also affirmed that guardians and conservators are fiduciaries under Michigan law and must keep client funds in separate accounts, making Englebrecht’s commingling of funds a criminal act under state statute.
Attorney General Nessel: “A Victory for Michigan’s Most Vulnerable”
Attorney General Dana Nessel praised the decision, stating:
“Michigan’s vulnerable adults deserve to know that the law will protect them from financial exploitation by those entrusted with their care. I am relieved that the Court has upheld this conviction, and proud of the work my office continues to do to stand up for some of our state’s most vulnerable residents.”
Nessel earlier emphasized that court-appointed guardians must be held to the highest standards, and her office’s Financial Crimes Division is committed to prosecuting those who violate that trust.
