The former bookkeeper for the Whiteland Fire Department was charged with theft, and an investigation showed that more than $50,000 was taken over about four years.
Divonna Hendrickson, 52, Franklin, was charged with five felony counts of theft.
The investigation began this summer, when checks were still being cashed with the signature of Dave Gabbard, the former fire chief, after he left his position.
Fire department officials called police and asked them to look into their accounts. Gabbard told investigators he had not signed any checks since leaving as chief.
Investigators found that since 2013, 68 checks from the fire department’s accounts had been written to Hendrickson and cashed, with $49,300 going into her personal bank account, according to court records.
Investigators spoke with Hendrickson, who said she had taken the money and that she needed it to help her kids, the report said.
Hendrickson was arrested and taken to the Johnson County jail, where she was released on $3,600 bond.
