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After her jury trial, set for Dec. 9, was vacated, Beth Howatt, a former Syracuse resident, pleaded guilty to theft, a class D felony.
Howatt originally also was charged with welfare fraud, a Class C felony, but the charge was dismissed per plea agreement.
Howatt, 25, was arrested in November 2001, after authorities discovered that she and her mother, Pamela Jo Houser, allegedly were "exerting unauthorized control" of Combined Community Services property and disbursing child care voucher money to an unqualified family member.
Houser also was scheduled for a jury trial Dec. 9, but her trial was postponed because of a full court calendar and will be held at a later date.
Howatt's sentencing includes three years probation and a $1,000 restitution payment to CCS. She also must pay court costs and her attorney's fees.
