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Written by: A. Smith
Published December 22, 2025 @ 11:49 AM ET
COWETA COUNTY, Ga. – A Coweta County kindergarten teacher has been arrested after police said she was caught shoplifting toys from a Target store in Newnan.
Melissa Bedenbough was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting after store security reported seeing her conceal packages of Legos worth about $36 inside her purse and leave the store without paying, according to police.
Officers responded to the Target location, where loss prevention employees detained Bedenbough. Police said officers reviewed surveillance footage that appeared to show her placing the items in her purse before exiting the store.
The Coweta County School System confirmed Bedenbough is a kindergarten teacher at White Oak Elementary School. District officials said she has been suspended while the school system conducts its own investigation into the incident.
Police said it is unclear why Bedenbough allegedly took the items. No additional details were released.
The charges against Bedenbough are misdemeanors, authorities said.