Former Lincoln, Nebraska director suspected of embezzling $24k from church child care center

The former director of a church child care facility is suspected of embezzling thousands of dollars from the business during her last nine months on the job.




Paula Kay Sparks, 47, was arrested Monday on suspicion of theft after the monsignor and current director at Holy Family Child Care Center, 3245 S. 37th St., noticed major discrepancies in the finances, of which Sparks was in charge, said Lincoln Police Officer Katie Flood.



Flood said Sparks left the center between Jan. 1 and Sept. 3. She wouldn't say whether she was fired or quit, but said Sparks erased financial records and did not make deposits of cash payments from those paying for child care. A backup of financial records at an off-site location showed the missing sum to be $24,411, Flood said.