My sister stole my credit card

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I'm at odds as how to handle this dilemma of my sister stealing my credit card (she's 42, I am 44 and we're both single moms) and racking up approx. $5000.00 in cash withdrawls before I had noticed it missing. I rarely use the card, I keep it for making reservations etc. and for emergency purposes only. Of course I reported it missing right away but at the same time, I had a niggling feeling that perhaps my sister had something to do with its disappearance. She has always been financially irresponsible. I confronted her and she admitted that she had taken it. Her explanation was that she could so she did????? Was she sorry - yes, and she says that she'll pay me back. I asked her how and of course I got a vague reply. The bank obviously wanted the police involved since it was indeed stolen but on finding out that it was my sister, I felt obliged to just pay the card off rather than getting into messy criminal proceedings. My sister can ill afford to go to court let alone having the possibility of losing her job - she is a registered nurse making over $65,000. per year and yet she can't make ends meet. I've suggested that she seek credit counselling in the past prior to this debacle to no avail. Needless to say that this has caused a rift in my relationship with her, especially in my not being to ever trust her again and also the feeling of being used and also feeling victimized. She is carrying on as if nothing has happened. Of course I would like to be paid back but it's not just about the money anymore. I have been advised by many professionals that if I want my money back I'll have to sue, if I want relative peace in the family not to sue. Catch 22.