BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Authorities believe a woman left at an Alabama hospital three years ago with no identity is a Georgia resident who was dumped by a caretaker who then stole her government benefit checks.

Al.com  reported Tuesday that the woman called Jane Sally Doe actually is Edith Allen, 68, of Douglasville, Ga.

The Alabama Bureau of Investigation charged her caretaker, 59-year-old Cathy Jean Thomas of Douglasville, with identity theft.

Authorities said Thomas is suspected of collecting more than $25,000 in Social Security benefits meant for Allen over the last three years.

Workers found Allen wandering at St. Vincent's East Hospital on Aug. 31, 2010. She had no identification and couldn't communicate.

News stories have circulated about the woman, and a tipster contacted a missing persons group with the identity of Allen, who has lived in nursing homes since 2011.

ABI Lt. Scott Bartle said investigators believe a relative of Thomas actually dropped Allen off at the Birmingham hospital. Thomas has denied doing that, Bartle said.

"Thomas did acknowledge receiving Edith Allen's money and using it to obtain goods and services that never went to Allen," Bartle said. "For three years, she has reaped the benefits of those checks."

Thomas was being held on $50,000 cash bond in Georgia, where she was arrested. She was charged with a felony in Alabama, but court records are not yet available online to show whether she has an attorney.

Georgia investigators were looking into possible additional charges.