The director of the Howard County Animal Welfare Society has been charged with stealing more than $50,000 of the private nonprofit group's funds. Robin Deltuva, 36, who lives at the longtime shelter compound next to the county government's separate animal facility in Ellicott City, is free on $20,000 bail. She's facing arraignment later this month, said Assistant State's Attorney Colleen McGuinn. Deltuva, whose mother, Michelle Deltuva, ran the private society for years, is charged with one count of a felony theft scheme. McGuinn said that allegation means "she was using the society's funds for personal purposes" over an 18-month period. Volunteers at the facility went to county police, McGuinn said, after noticing unusual expenses on a society account.

- Larry Carson