DSP News Release:  Tuesday, February 10, 2009- PTA Treasurer Accused of Stealing over $19,000.00 Earmarked for Playground Equipment

Location of Incident: New Castle County Delaware

Date and Time of Occurrence: June of 2008 through February 2009

Suspect: Cheryl R. Wood, 37, of Osage Road in Claymont 

Resume: On Friday of last week, detectives from the Delaware State Police were contacted by representatives from the Carrcroft Elementary School PTA in reference to embezzlement. 

It had been alleged that the PTA Treasurer, Cheryl Wood, had stolen over $19,000.00 from the PTA over an eight (8) month period.  The scheme came to light on Friday, February 4^th, when a PTA member responded to a local bank in order to check on a new debit card request.  While at the bank, this PTA member asked to see a ledger sheet to check on the funds which were earmarked for playground for the children.  When the ledger sheet was turned over to the PTA member, she was shocked to find an extremely low balance. 

Detectives learned that the treasurer, Ms. Wood, was given a series of blank checks with which she was to deposit monies into a new PTA account at a different bank; and also make an IRA investment at another financial institution.  Instead, it is believed that Ms. Wood wrote checks out to herself and altered business records to cover up her tracks. 

Ms. Wood voluntarily turned herself in to authorities at Troop 2 this morning and was formally charged with Theft (felony) and Falsifying Business Records (felony).  She was released on a $2,000.00 unsecured bond. 

Tips may also be forwarded to law enforcement through tip lines maintained by Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or on line at www.tipsubmit.com.  

 

Cheryl Wood