Former School Cafeteria Worker Arrested on Theft Charges

A former Stephens County School cafeteria worker is charged with embezzling over $5,000 from the Cafeteria funds.

The arrest came last week after an investigation by the Stephens County Sheriff’s office, according to Sheriff Randy Shirley

“On January 12th my office was contacted by school Superintendent Bryan Dorsey with the Stephens County Board of Education in reference to a series of checks written off of a single account that appeared to be fraudulent,” Shirley explained. “Superintendent Dorsey told Deputies it had come to his attention that a former employee, 46 year old Andrea Sheuring of Toccoa had cashed several unauthorized checks for personal use over a period of several months.”

The Sheriff said investigators discovered that over that time, the worker, identified as 43-year old Andrea Sheuring of Toccoa had been making checks out to cash from a school nutrition account.

“During the course of the investigation it was determined that Sheuring had been making checks out to ‘cash’ from an account used for the school nutrition program. It was learned through an audit of the account performed by investigators that Sheuring began stealing money from the account in June of 2017 and continued stealing funds through January 2018. In total more than $5,700,” the Sheriff said.

On a story that aired January 17th on WNEG Stephens County School Superintendent Bryan Dorsey told WNEG News how the missing funds were discovered. “Our School System Finance Director brought to my attention that some protocols were not being followed in a small food nutrition activity account. Upon meeting with the Nutrition Director to discuss the protocols she made notice that the transactions in question had not been authorized by her. Myself, the Assistant Superintendent, and the Finance Director met with the Nutrition bookkeeper (Sheuring) and she admitted to taking some of the funds.”

Sheuring was brought in for questioning and Shirley says she admitted to taking the money.

“Sheuring was arrested and charged with Felony Theft by Taking and transported to the Stephens County Jail. Sheuring has since been released on a $10,000 bond. As of this date, the investigation is ongoing and more charges are possible,” he said.

Dorsey tells WNEG Radio, the employee was immediately terminated.

WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you more updates as they become available.