Teacher arrested for food stamp fraud

MOBILE, Ala. (AP) - A Mobile County public school teacher is accused of bilking the state out of about $12,000 in food stamps.

April LaDonna Bell, a 35-year-old chemistry teacher surrendered Wednesday after a grand jury indicted her on a charge of first-degree theft of property.

Mobile County Assistant District Attorney Geoff Alexander told the Press-Register that the Alabama Department of Human Resources alleges that Bell misrepresented her household's makeup and total income. That resulted in her receiving more benefits than she deserved over a three-year period starting in 2005.

Jail records show Bell was released on $12,000 bail an hour after she was booked.

Mobile County Public School System spokeswoman Nancy Pierce declined to discuss any sanctions Bell might face if she's convicted.