On April 23rd, 2026, deputies were called to a school after officials discovered thousands of dollars missing from school funds and several unauthorized purchases allegedly made using a school credit card. >> [laughter] >> No, ma'am. I was going to say >> Okay, yeah, for sure. >> Uh so, I'm with Katie Wilcox at Holland Barry Intermediate. >> Yep. >> Katie, you submits your money forms when you get collect money for different things from uh kids for field trips, things of that nature. And you turn it into the bookkeeper who was um Ms. Lancaster? >> Yes, at the time, yes. >> Yep. And this is what it normally looks like, right? This is your yellow copies that she got receipts from, right? >> Correct. >> Okay. It's filled out on a white copy and just transcribes. >> Correct. >> So, you see your yellow copies, right? >> Yep. >> And you see this white copy that's listed your stuff. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, obviously this white copy does not match the yellow copy. >> Correct. >> And you did not complete this white copy, correct? >> No, cuz it's not in my handwriting. >> Okay. And obviously there's funds that are different as far as cash and checks. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And that is it, ma'am. So, these you didn't fill out the white copy on this one. >> Nope. >> Yellow copies are what you have and this is what you completed before. Okay. That is all I have. >> All righty. >> Brittany, when you get collect money for like field trips and everything like that, you guys normally fill it out on a white form. >> Uh yes. >> And there's a carbon copy yellow copy that's on the back, so it should mirror what you write on the white form. >> Yes, that's correct. >> Okay. I'm going to show you uh one of your uh money submissions. >> Mhm. >> Now, this is the yellow copy. >> Mhm. >> That your handwriting. >> Yes. >> Okay. Now, when you look over at the white copy, which should mirror this one, you see anything that's wrong with this? >> Uh that's not my handwriting. >> No. >> Mhm. >> Okay. So, none of your handwriting on this or anything. >> Mhm. No, that's not even my signature. >> Okay. All right, that's all the questions I have for Ms. Meyer. When you guys turn in your money, you collect money from the students for field trips and everything of that nature, right? You fill out a white form and it's got a yellow carbon copy. >> Correct. >> That you keep and maintain and the white copy normally goes with the bookkeeper once everything's signed off and verified. >> I send the white copy with a yellow attached. >> Correct. >> Yes, and then I the yellow comes back to me. >> Right. >> Oh, yeah. >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> That's how it's supposed to work. >> Yeah. >> So, this [snorts] is your yellow copy in your handwriting, correct? >> Yes. >> Now, when you look at the white copy, do you see any discrepancies? >> Uh this is not my uh signature and there's missing some students on there. >> Okay. All right. >> Yeah. >> And that is all the >> Okay. >> After speaking with the teachers and reviewing how the missing money had been collected, deputies brought the school bookkeeper into a private room at the school to question her about the alleged missing cash and unauthorized credit card purchases. >> If you would sit over here for me. >> Yes, ma'am. >> And like I said, I'm just shutting the door for the privacy purposes. Since that's what uh you're asking for, too. And like I told you, you don't have to speak to me if you don't want to, but want to go over a couple things that were brought to my attention. First off, I sounds like the school really loved you here and you're moving to Idaho? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um so, it's probably uh difficult to leave since you have so many friends and everything of that nature, but the things that I was wanting to talk to you about is regarding >> [sighs] >> the field trip money that come in and out and everything of that nature. Um cuz there's some discrepancies from what's been going on and it was pointed out and asked me to look into it. So, and I want to make sure I have a good understanding, so I'm going to have you walk me through it as well. Um and you correct me if I'm wrong on any of this. They'll get their field trip money. The teachers will fill out a white form that's on top of this carbon copy, correct? Okay. And then both the white copy and the carbon copy come to your office. It's verified with somebody else. At some point in time it's verified because I'm sure they come in in multiples and >> Yes. >> And then you send the yellow copy, which is the copy of the actual white one, back to the teachers. Is that correct? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, like in this form >> I know where all this is going, so just tell me what >> So, okay. Since you know where all this is going, I'm just going to ask you the why. I mean, there's And ma'am, I know Look, let me finish this really quick so that maybe it would make some sense to you on my side. I know people get in difficult times and different things. They have circumstances come up in your life. So >> I have always been the helper, not the helpie. >> And and I get that. I'm the same way. I'm too It's not like I'm too proud to ask, but I'd like to do So, on all these stuff that the white copy like I I have plenty of copies of this. >> I understand you. >> And all this stuff. And then one of the other things that came up, which uh I think you know about is you turn in receipts for things. Obviously, it's the school board policy of the school's policy. It has to have an itemized receipt to justify the spending. >> Yes. >> When you did not turn in receipts for things that you used the credit card for, were those for personal use? Would you say more than likely that you only submitted receipts when it was justified and the times you didn't submit receipts is when it was personal because you didn't want to see And just like with I I They brought one up and I'm assuming it was personal because of the time frame. Papa John's Pizza charge. It was after school. It'd been out for over a week. And then some like Walgreens charge, too. >> Um >> And school was out. It was the middle of July. >> I mean >> only time that you'd have that credit card, obviously, to be able to use it. >> Well, I I'm a 12-month employee, so it would it we would have been here. So. >> But you'd still provide receipts for those two as well. >> would. I would assume as long as I have them. >> Okay. But that would be But I'm saying that's the standard practice. >> Yes. Yes. Yes. >> But if the receipt wasn't produced, it'd be So, just so I understand, I want you to tell me And you don't have to explain it all to me. >> I just need to know what I'm facing at this point. >> So, I'm still >> to still get on the plane on on the 30th? >> Uh so, I'm still going through everything as far as the investigation goes, okay? Um because between everything that's all said and done, it's like almost $15,000. >> Okay. >> Um between the charges and everything. And like I said, I just wanted to get your input of what was going on. And obviously, it sounds like it was just, you know, bad times. And you And you're right, but but you trying to justify it to yourself. And >> And but again, that's no excuse. I love this place. It's really really what it was. >> And that's normally what happens. I mean, you think it's just like >> it's no excuse. So. >> No. And and I understand it. And I appreciate you willing to speak with me about this. Um just like I said, because it was I think a lot of No one kind of see this happening because you're so beloved here. Um and I'm sure that eats at you too because of the fact >> Yes. Yes. >> Now, does the move have anything to do with this? >> No. >> Okay. I mean, I was just You don't have to go into detail. I was just curious. >> I just need I mean, after my divorce, it's been 2 years since my divorce. And I felt the walls closing in. I just needed I needed a change. I needed out. I wanted to >> Try to break free of it and start over. >> I wanted to put myself in a position where it would be a fresh start, and I wouldn't It It does not make any It It It It is no It's no excuse. >> Right. >> So, I just need to know what I need to do from here. Can I still go to Idaho? >> So, I'm still doing There'll >> would charges. I'm still conducting the investigation. If you leave me, let me grab my pen and paper. I'll give you a call. Um, you're still living at the same residence, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. So, if I if I didn't get a hold of you on the phone, I'll drop by with a business card or something and say contact me if you don't get get my message for whatever reason. >> I I still have the same phone number. >> I I didn't I I'm not sure if it's the same in our system cuz I didn't ask the school for it. >> What what happens now? >> So, I'm still like I said, I'm still going through doing my investigation on this. Um, and then once I get concluded with the investigation, the report will go to my boss. He'll sign uh off of approving it um based off of whatever else I find, I'll send a warrant to a judge to see if it's probable cause for an arrest to be made. >> Okay. >> And then if so, then an arrest would be made. >> Can I still go to Idaho or >> So, I can't tell you that you can't go. You But at that point in time, depending when the warrant comes out, um it's you either if it's if you already left on the 30th, that's when you said you're leaving. So, if the warrant comes out after the 30th, then it's going to show up if you have any chance of like if you have that you plan on employing somewhere. So, I'm showing it'll flag depending if they do a background check or not. So, you'd have to take care of this warrant at some point in time. >> Okay. What does that look like? >> I I ma'am, I can't go into all those things. I'm just giving a broad brief overview cuz I don't speak to the particulars because there could be so many different scenarios that go on um at that point in time that I I won't know, you know, there could be A, B, and C that it could happen [clears throat] or, you know, I'm not going to go down that because I don't want you to get fixated on one specific thing when there could be a multiple things. Does that make sense? >> I >> I'll keep you in the in the loop as much as I can possibly can, okay? Because I I'm understanding you don't want to get blindsided or have anything, you know. >> I've got my son. I need to get him settled and then obviously I I know what this entails. >> And like I said, once I have some more information, I'll completely give it you know, provide it but I can for you, okay? But I'm not going to be able to speak to everything because of the fact that I don't know. I truly would not know. Um I'm not trying to sugarcoat or hide anything from you. >> a lawyer or >> I can't advise you on legal counsel, either. That is just all things that you have to make that decision on whenever the time comes um when my investigation's concluded. >> Okay. >> Um we'll go from there. >> Okay. >> Uh as far as the legal stuff. But my investigation's still ongoing. Um if you feel like you need to retain counsel at any time, you have that right. Like I said, you don't have to speak with me. I just wanted to get your side of the story and that's what we did today. >> this is something that I never intended any of. >> Yes, ma'am. I will speak with the school afterwards. Um I'm going to when we walk out, I'm going to go to my vehicle, you can go to yours. I'm going to bring your ID back to you in a second. I got it because um they're issuing you a trespass warning to come back and not come back to the school. >> But they don't even need to do that. >> I think but it's still they want it for their selves as well, okay? Um anything else that you think I should know about? >> I just that I'm sorry. I I don't >> I get it. When you get in a desperate time, you know, you just result to things that you never thought about doing before. >> Is there jail time associated >> I have no idea, ma'am, cuz that's all something that they would look at criminal history. There's so many things that could take place that I have no answer for. I can't act off of hypotheticals sometimes. >> Okay. >> All right? >> Is there like a dollar amount that it becomes like a felony >> Yes, ma'am, there is and like I said, once I conclude the investigation, I'll inform you of all this, okay? All right, so if we you have nothing else for me, I'm good. I'm going to walk out there cuz like I said, they want the trespass done. Um and you can be on your way. >> Okay. >> All right? >> As deputies continued their investigation, Lynch obtained a lawyer who informed investigators that she would not be answering any further questions. And on April 28th, 2026, Lynch was arrested and charged with grand theft of $10,000 to less than $20,000 in connection with the school investigation. Just over 2 months after her first arrest, Lynch was arrested a second time. This time accused of making more than $19,000 in unauthorized transactions while serving as treasurer for Caring and Sharing, a nonprofit organization in Santa Rosa County. She was again charged with grand theft of $10,000 to less than $20,000. Both cases remain open at this time. Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to like and subscribe.