Could I Get In Legal Trouble For Doing This?

Okay this is going to be a bit all over the place I’m going to try to keep it as simple and understandable as possible. Last year, February 2023, I moved into an apartment with a friend. It was a 1 year lease. Both of our names being on the lease. I ended up moving out 4 months later, June 2023, because I just wasn’t happy with the living situation. She told me her friend could move in and take my spot, and instead of subleasing it, that I could trust they would pay. I was naive and trusted them.

Now, it’s been over a year. The lease ended this year in February. March rolls by and I noticed I haven’t received my security deposit back (which is a lot of money because it is a NY apartment). So I been texting her if she ever got it and no response. She also blocked me on Instagram. Then, the company started calling and leaving me voicemails saying that we owe a balance and that rent hasn’t been paid for the last month, so I won’t receive my deposit until the other girl pays it.

The company is nice and understanding of my situation. They noticed that the other girl won’t answer their calls or emails as well in regard to paying the leftover rent. And that she’s blatantly ignoring me. It was my mistake for trusting that they would pay, instead of just subleasing it. Now I feel like this is my responsibility and I don’t want it to get back to me eventually because my name is on the lease. I also want my security deposit back.

My mom thinks I should have the company use the security deposits to pay what’s owed, and have them send the remaining money to me. Would I be wrong for doing this? The girls mom is a lawyer so I don’t want them to end up wanting to pay what was owed one day and the company tells them what I did and I get sued or something idk. I just want my deposit and that rent that they owed paid off so it’s not tied to my name. Should I do what my mom says I should?

Edit: I also did want to add, I can’t remember if I sent the company directly my portion of the security deposit, or if I sent it to her to send to them. I would hate for her to pay one day and she keeps my money, since she’s ignoring me.