An Albert Lea woman who is one of two people charged in connection with the alleged neglectful treatment of an adult in Albert Lea pleaded not guilty Thursday in Freeborn County District Court.

Shawntaya Latrice Butler, 33, is charged with felony criminal neglect. Michelle Renee Dawes, 32, is also charged with felony criminal neglect in the case.

Court documents state Butler and Dawes were charged after an Albert Lea Police Department detective and an Adult Protective Services professional visited an Albert Lea address Sept. 26 after receiving a report of possible financial abuse of a vulnerable adult. Dawes reportedly failed to pay the bills for the adult, so the services for the adult were being discontinued.

Upon arriving, the vulnerable adult was described as “pale,” “gray,” “very thin,” “malnourished,” “dehydrated” and needing medical assistance.

Butler was reportedly the personal care attendant for the alleged victim and said she provided the adult with help for grocery shopping, preparing meals, cleaning and making sure the woman took her medications and wore clean clothes.

Court documents state Dawes admitted owing money for services provided by Butler to the adult, and the adult’s account was overdrawn. Purchases allegedly could not be attributed to the adult.

When interviewed, Butler reportedly said she had not worked for the adult in the last two weeks because she was told there were no paid services. Homecare professionals tried to contact Butler and Dawes once insurance payments resumed, but they could not be reached.

Butler said the adult moved downstairs when services stopped, but that account was conflicted by accounts offered by other people.

Court documents state when the vulnerable adult was evaluated in late September, she had lost nearly 20 pounds in about 1 1/2 months and had severe anemia, cachexia, severe malnutrition, CAD and heart failure.

A settlement conference for Butler is scheduled for March 8, and a jury trial is scheduled to start April 24, if the case has not been settled by then.

Dawes pleaded not guilty last month. A settlement conference is scheduled for Jan. 24, and a jury trial is scheduled to begin April 10, if the case has not been settled by then.