The recent treasurer of the Panther Valley Parent Teacher Organization is facing theft charges after she allegedly took more than $11,000 from the organization.

Summit Hill Police Chief Todd Woodward charged Melissa M. McCloskey 34, Lansford, with one felony count of theft by unlawful taking.

In an affidavit of probable cause, Woodward said he received a call from the Panther Valley Intermediate School principal about funds stolen from the PTO. The principal told Woodward that McCloskey asked to meet with her, and when she did, she said that she “accidentally” used approximately $5,000 in funds from the PTO.

Woodward met with the PTO president who provided him with statements of unauthorized expenditures between Oct. 28, 2022, and Aug. 26 of this year, when McCloskey was PTO treasurer.

According to police, the unauthorized expenditures consisted of food purchases from local Italian restaurants, along with payments to AT&T, PPL, Amazon and local retail stores. There were also ATM withdrawals, and a Venmo payment from the former PTO treasurer that was not deposited with the PTO funds, Woodward said.

The unauthorized expenditures totaled $11,153.11.

Woodward noted that McCloskey was the only PTO bank card holder and used the funds for her own use without permission from the PTO.

Police made contact with McCloskey and her attorney but they decided not to provide a written statement.

McCloskey waived the charge to court and is free on $1,500 unsecured bail. Her formal arraignment is scheduled for Dec. 19.