Substitute teacher steals $7k from Duplin County school in North Carolina

Police said a substitute teacher embezzled almost $7,000 from a Duplin County elementary school.

Donna Godbold, 48, was arrested Monday morning. According to police, Godbold stole $6,913.30 from the Parent Teacher Organization of Beulaville Elementary School. The embezzlement happened from April 18, 2012 through April 1, 2013, investigators said.

Godbold had access to the PTO credit card, and used the money for personal purchases, officers said. Members of the PTO noticed inconsistencies on the group's bank statements and notified the principal, who called police.

Godbold is a substitute teacher and substitute bus driver at Beulaville Elementary. She was charged with embezzlement, obtaining property under false pretense, and financial card fraud. Godbold was released on a $25,000 bond. Her first court appearance is scheduled for April 19.

The S.B.I. also took part in the investigation. A Duplin County Schools official says Godbold was fired Monday and had been employed since September 2009.