April LaDonna Bell
April LaDonna Bell
Updated: Thursday, 12 Nov 2009, 3:34 PM CST
Published : Sunday, 01 Nov 2009, 9:05 AM CST
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.