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

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.