Ex-school bookkeeper Stephine Barkley: Stealing students’ money was 'addicting'

Lithonia High School authorities say a DeKalb County bookkeeper has been fired after she admitted to stealing about $15,000 of deposits.

Stephine Barkley is now out on bond from the DeKalb County Jail after being arrested for theft by taking.

”I think that it is very sad and awful that a bookkeeper would be stealing from the kids, said Donice Edwards, a parent at the school.

”It is like a shock to come here and realize we have no money. It’s disappointing that we cannot do a lot of the things we are supposed to do because she stole our money, said student Solape Baballola.

According to a signed affidavit, Barkely admitted to taking about $15,000. She said she wasn’t sure of the exact amount.

”I began to take deposits to pay my rent and to pay day care bills for my children. It was almost like an addiction to take money from the deposits, Barkley wrote in the affidavit.

Barkley said she would repay the missing funds, and was also sorry for any harm if may have caused anyone at the school district.

Some parents say there should be more checks and balances over the money.

”I think that there maybe should be more than one person overseeing it, maybe multiple people, said parent Donice Edwards.