A woman found inside a Kalispell area home by a tenant earlier this month is facing a felony burglary charge in Flathead County District Court.  

Carrie Joanne Anderson, 50, is expected to appear before Judge Amy Eddy on Dec. 11 for her arraignment on the felony count. She was released from custody on her own recognizance earlier this month.  

A downstairs tenant contacted the authorities about 11:45 a.m., Nov. 9 after spotting a woman in the upper level of the house while the homeowners were out of town, according to court documents. Later identified as Anderson, the woman appeared to be rifling through items near the front door, court documents said.  

After leaving the house and contacting the homeowners to confirm no one else had permission to be inside, the tenant returned and allegedly found Anderson downstairs. She was holding clothing belonging to the homeowner's daughter, court documents said.  

Anderson initially told responding Flathead County Sheriff's Office deputies that she suffered from schizophrenia and did not know how she ended up in the home, court documents alleged. She later said that she believed her grandson lived in the house.

Deputies found a black bracelet with a cross that belonged to the homeowner's son in her pocket, and Anderson admitted to taking it from the home, court documents said. 

Burglary is punishable by up to 20 years in Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. 

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 758-4430 or [email protected].