SYCAMORE – A DeKalb woman who failed to appear in court on charges of neglect for a child with disabilities now faces charges of trespassing at a DeKalb Dollar General store.

Patricia N. Nichols, 31, of the 900 block of Greenbrier Road, was charged with criminal trespassing on Sunday at Dollar General, 1401 S. Fourth St. in DeKalb. Nichols was told before she came in that she was not allowed in the store, but entered anyway, according to DeKalb County Court records.

After making contact with Nichols, police also arrested her for failing to show up for four scheduled court hearings in the neglect case. Nichols did not appear in court on Jan. 28, Feb. 11, March 18 and March 25, according to court records.

If convicted of the neglect charge, Nichols could face probation or 2 to 10 years in prison. The charge stems from an episode that occurred from April to Aug. 22, 2018. Prosecutors allege in court records that Nichols neglected to provide a disabled child with appropriate food or medical care during that time.

“This is one of the worst medical neglect cases I have ever seen,” Alicia Kaplan, assistant state’s attorney for DeKalb County, said in court Monday.

DeKalb County Judge Philip Montgomery set bond for Nichols at $5,000 in court on Monday, meaning she would have to post $500 cash bail to be released. She remained in custody after the bond hearing.

Nichols is due back in court for both cases 9 a.m. Tuesday for a status hearing.