A third-grade teacher at Seymour-Jackson Elementary School was arrested for stealing money Friday evening, police report.
Meredith Charlton, 46, faces Class A misdemeanor charges of theft after an investigation at the school by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff Rick Meyer said a string of reported thefts led to her arrest.
On Dec. 4, School Resource Officer Keith Williams was notified of a series of thefts at the school.
The next day, it was reported to Williams money was missing from an employee’s purse and Charlton had been seen in the office where the theft occurred.
At 3:11 p.m. Friday, surveillance cameras were placed in the office of the school. That same day, money was marked and placed in a desk in the office, police said.
Charlton was seen in the office going through an employee’s purse and desk that contained the marked money.
After interviewing Charlton, who denied taking anything, Williams obtained a search warrant.
Jail Officer Teia Thomas assisted Williams with the search at the school.
A $20 bill was located on Charlton that matched the serial number for the cash missing from the desk in the office, police said.
Charlton was placed under arrest and transported to the Jackson County Jail in Brownstown. She was booked into the jail at 8:23 p.m. and released on her own recognizance.
A Class A misdemeanor, which is charged if the value of the property stolen is less than $750, is punishable by up to one year in jail and up to a $5,000 fine.
Seymour Community School Corp. Superintendent Brandon Harpe said he could not comment on personnel issues.