Charges dismissed against Coweta County kindergarten teacher Melissa Bedenbough arrested for shoplifting

Feb 6, 2026 - 17:13
Feb 6, 2026 - 17:14
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Charges dismissed against Coweta County kindergarten teacher Melissa Bedenbough arrested for shoplifting
Melissa Bedenbough

COWETA COUNTY, Ga. (Dec. 17, 2025) — A kindergarten teacher was arrested Wednesday after police say she shoplifted toys from a Target store in Newnan.

Melissa Bedenbough, 44, of Senoia was charged with misdemeanor shoplifting after loss-prevention officers at the Target on Bullsboro Drive reported seeing her conceal several packages of Lego sets, valued at about $36, in her purse and walk out of the store without paying, according to Newnan Police Department reports.

Officers reviewed surveillance video and took Bedenbough into custody. She was booked into the Coweta County Jail.

Bedenbough is a kindergarten teacher with the Coweta County School System at White Oak Elementary School. District officials have placed her on administrative leave pending an internal investigation.

It was not immediately clear why she allegedly took the items.

The charges are misdemeanors.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.