DENVER -- A woman who used to work at an assisted-living facility in Wheat Ridge is accused of stealing a ring off the hand of an 80-year-old Alzheimer's patient and then pawning it for cash.

Ebony Michelle Butler, 22, appeared in Jefferson County Court Monday to plead not guilty to theft, theft of an at-risk adult and providing false information to a pawnbroker. The case stems from an incident last fall.

On Sept. 24, Russell Mayer picked up Jean, his wife of 60 years, from Spring Ridge Park, the assisted-living facility in Wheat Ridge where she lived. Russell took Jean to church as he regularly did on Sundays, and on this particular Sunday, he noticed that the diamond ring he had given Jean on their wedding anniversary, and that she had worn for 35 years, was missing from her hand.

He reported the loss to the Wheat Ridge Police Department and following an investigation, Butler was arrested March 8.

Butler is accused of having taken the ring off of Jean Mayer's hand while she was working as caregiver at Spring Ridge Park. According to court records, Butler then pawned the ring at Cash America in Lakewood.

Jean Mayer was severely disabled with stage four Alzheimer's disease so she did not know that the ring was missing, police said. She passed away shortly after charges were filed in this case.

Butler is out on bond and has a motions hearing set for July 16. A jury trial has been set for Sept. 27. If convicted on all counts, Butler could potentially face up to 13 1/2 years in prison.