The Watch MN: Husband, Wife Charged with Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult

Wendalena Remus, 66, and David Lynn Remus, 67, of Sleepy Eye are accused of misusing a relative’s bank accounts for personal expenses while her care bills went unpaid.

Investigators say the victim, who resides in a locked memory care unit, struggled to recall basic financial details when interviewed.
A $7,000 check to the victim’s care facility was reportedly returned for insufficient funds in November 2025.
Records reportedly show more than $100,000 in transfers from the victim’s joint account to the defendants’ personal credit cards over an 11-month span.
The victim’s care facility was allegedly owed approximately $52,000 in unpaid bills at the time of the report.

Details of the Incident

According to the complaint, the Sleepy Eye Police Department opened an investigation after Investigator Bohnen received a Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC) report on December 4, 2025. The report identified Wendalena Remus and David Lynn Remus as joint holders of the victim’s Farmers and Merchants Bank account, which received deposits solely from the victim’s Social Security and investment income. The reporter told investigators that a $7,000 check written to the victim’s care facility had been returned for insufficient funds and that Wendalena Remus had spent approximately $77,184 from the account since January 2025, while David Remus had spent approximately $22,480.

The following day, Investigator Bohnen and a Brown County social worker visited the victim, who resides in a locked memory care unit for individuals unable to care for themselves. According to the complaint, the victim struggled to recall basic details about her finances and family during the interview. Facility billing staff told investigators the victim owed approximately $52,000 for care costing $10,000 per month. A second MAARC report, filed December 9, 2025, alleged the defendants had a pattern of allowing the balance to lapse before paying it down in large lump sums.

Investigators obtained search warrants, signed by Judge Docherty, for the victim’s bank and several credit card accounts, including Chase, Credit One, Apple Card and First Bank. Records reportedly showed tens of thousands of dollars in transfers from the joint account to credit cards held individually by the defendants, covering expenses that included veterinary bills, a skin and wellness clinic, vehicle repairs, and travel. According to the complaint, the total transferred to the defendants’ credit cards was approximately $38,165 between January and June 2025 and approximately $53,394 between July and November 2025. A separate investment account and living trust tied to the victim also reportedly funded regular transfers to the same bank account.

On January 22, 2026, both defendants waived their Miranda rights and were interviewed by Investigator Bohnen. According to the complaint, Wendalena Remus initially estimated that only about $10,000 had been misused before acknowledging the true figure was likely ten times that amount. She reportedly admitted that a roughly $4,600 Delta Vacations charge was for a family trip that did not involve the victim, and that a Jensen Motors charge covered tires for a family member’s truck. David Remus told investigators he had continued paying certain property-related bills from the account and maintained that nothing had been done intentionally to harm his mother. Wendalena Remus stated, ‘I screwed up. I want to make it right.’

A power of attorney naming David Remus was executed in 2009 and added to the account in 2012. An emergency conservator was appointed for the victim on January 6, 2026, after a court found she had a cognitive impairment affecting her ability to manage her own affairs, according to the complaint.

Wendalena Remus is charged with:

Aid/Abet Financial Exploitation-Vulnerable Adult-Breach of Fiduciary Obligation – Fail Provide Care (Count I) — Minn. Stat. § 609.2335.1(1)(i), ref. § 609.52.3(1), Felony
Aid/Abet Financial Exploitation-Vulnerable Adult-Breach of Fiduciary Obligation – Fail Provide Care (Count II) — Minn. Stat. § 609.2335.1(1)(i), ref. § 609.52.3(1), Felony
Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent (Count III) — Minn. Stat. § 609.52.2(a)(1), ref. § 609.52.3(2), Felony
Theft-Indifferent to Owner Rights (Count IV) — Minn. Stat. § 609.52.2(a)(5)(i), ref. § 609.52.3(2), Felony
Theft-Take/Use/Transfer Movable Prop-No Consent (Count V) — Minn. Stat. § 609.52.2(a)(1), ref. § 609.52.3(2), Felony
Theft-Indifferent to Owner Rights (Count VI) — Minn. Stat. § 609.52.2(a)(5)(i), ref. § 609.52.3(2), Felony

David Lynn Remus is charged with:

Financial Exploitation-Vulnerable Adult-Breach of Fiduciary Obligation – Fail Provide Care (Count I) — Minn. Stat. § 609.2335.1(1)(i), ref. § 609.52.3(1), Felony
Financial Exploitation-Vulnerable Adult-Breach of Fiduciary Obligation – Fail Provide Care (Count II) — Minn. Stat. § 609.2335.1(1)(i), ref. § 609.52.3(1), Felony