MANTON -- A former Manton Consolidated Schools clerk who allegedly took more than $20,000 from the district faces a felony embezzlement charge.
Wexford County sheriff's deputies arrested Manton resident Heather Heydens on Monday. Heydens, 29, is charged with embezzlement of more than $20,000.
Superintendent J. Mark Parsons said Heydens served as an accounting clerk for four years before resigning in November, roughly the same time school officials discovered financial discrepancies. Officials found money was missing after the district revamped its accounting practices, Parsons said.
Heydens is suspected of taking in the "high end" of $20,000 to $50,000 from the district, Parsons said, and further audits may uncover more missing money.
"Now that she has been charged, there may be supplemental charges if more is found," he said.
Parsons said Heydens had several duties with the district. He wouldn't give details about her method of alleged embezzlement.
"It appears to have been primarily revolving around cash receipts," he said.
Wexford Sheriff Gary Finstrom deferred comment to school officials.
The Manton district has 1,025 students and is like a "family," Parsons said, making the alleged embezzlement hit harder.
"This really feels like a big trust was broken," he said. "Not only the monetary, but the relationship end of it was frustrating."
Heydens was arraigned and is free on bond.
Print this story
E-mail this story
