WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Two arrested; accused of stealing trip fund money

Two arrested; accused of stealing trip fund money

By: David Spunt- Email

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB)-- Two women are behind bars in parish prison, after stealing just over $19,000 from a 5th grade trip fund, authorities said.

It all started as a 5th grade graduation trip to Atlanta. About 85 students and parents from Brownfields Elementary School were set to leave last Thursday evening from the school.  

When they got there, they found out there was no trip and their money was gone.

Maya Dyer and her mother, Patricia, both face charges of felony theft.  Authorities say the two women collected money for a trip to Six Flags in Atlanta. 

For weeks, they allegedly collected thousands, leaving parents high and dry with no answers.

The sheriff's office interviewed about 40 parents, but what led them to the Dyer duo was the fact that they allegedly served as the money handlers for the trip, and records reportedly show they endorsed almost all of the checks and pocketed the cash.

"The bottom line we want our money back, it's a shame they had to go to jail, but if you do the crime, you got to do the time," said Sheron Norman, one of the parents who lost her money.

A spokeswoman with the East Baton Rouge Sherriff's Office says the next step is for Maya and Patricia to appear before a judge. At this point, it's still too early to say how and when the parents will get their money back. 

Stay with 9 News for the latest.

©2009 WAFB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.