An investigation by Marshall County authorities has resulted in charges being filed against a Moundsville woman accused of defrauding her elderly mother out of nearly $10,000.

Malleah Lou Yoho, 45, has been charged with identity theft and fraudulent schemes - both felonies. Yoho turned herself in Thursday.

According to Marshall County Sheriff's deputies, an investigation began in August, after Yoho's sister, Amy Gonchoff - who has power of attorney for their mother, Janice Huggins - came to the sheriff's department along with Huggins.

Gonchoff gave deputies a copy of Huggins' credit report, which deputies said showed 19 credit entries that Huggins had no knowledge of. In addition, deputies said 14 of the entries reflected credit lines that had been opened. They said those entries included telephone, cable and cell phone purchases in which Yoho's address was listed, as well as utility charges.

Deputies said the total amount owed on the report was $9,523.24.

They added that Yoho has admitted to using her mother's date of birth and Social Security number to obtain credit lines and credit cards.

Yoho was released from custody Thursday after posting two bonds of $8,500 for each charge.

If convicted, she could be sentenced to five years in prison on the identity theft charge and could have to reimburse her mother for the full amount on the fraudulent schemes charge, according to West Virginia Code. She could also be fined up to $1,000.