DE QUEEN — The recently fired director of the De Queen Parks and Recreation Department was arrested on a theft charge over accusations she pocketed money from teaching CPR classes.
Karen Atkins, 52, who had been the parks director since 1998, was arrested Thursday afternoon by Sevier County sheriff’s deputies on a warrant for theft of property more than $1,000 but less than $5,000.
She was released after posting 10 percent of a $15,000 bond. The charge is a Class D felony with a potential sentence of up to six years in prison and a maximum fine of $10,000
Atkins is accused of stealing $3,765.
The Miller County prosecutor will take a look at the case, because 65 students took Atkins’ classes in Texarkana, totaling $2,275 in fees.
Atkins said she deposited the checks and cash from the classes into the Tri-County Softball account to pay her Discover credit card and other personal bills, according to the arrest affidavit.
De Queen Police Lt. Scott Simmons started an investigation Nov. 9. He contacted Teresa Filkins, the regional service delivery manager for the American Red Cross. According to police, she said Atkins was authorized to teach CPR or lifeguard classes only to city employees and local lifeguards.
During the investigation, Simmons said, he discovered a folder with class times and dates, and a roster of names, addresses and contact information. He provided Filkins with copies of the information, and she confirmed the classes were not registered with the Red Cross system.
On Dec. 12, Arkansas State Police Special Agent Hays Mc-Whirter and Simmons interviewed Atkins at the De Queen Police Department.
In a video of the interview, Atkins told the officers that she taught CPR classes for the Red Cross and lifeguard classes but had not sent any of the money to the Red Cross or registered the classes. Atkins said she makes her own certificates and gives them to the participants of the class.
The students were charged $35 each.
“Karen advised she had it worked out with Red Cross that she sends the money at the end of each year. Karen then advised she had not sent any money in for 2011,” the affidavit states.
On Dec. 11, Simmons received a copy of a letter suspending Atkins’ Red Cross instructor certification.
On Dec. 17, Filkins provided a written statement that Atkins had not turned in 11 training classes from June 29, 2011, through Nov. 27, 2012, for a total of 164 students and $3,765 in fees, according to the affidavit.
Mayor Billy Ray McKelvy fired Atkins on Dec. 11. He declined comment on the dismissal.
The Texarkana Gazette was unable to contact Atkins, whose first appearance in court has not been scheduled.
Prosecutor Bryan Chesshir and Deputy Prosecutor Manya K. Wood. filed the charge and affidavit in the Sevier County circuit clerk’s office.
The case has been assigned to 9th Circuit Judge Tom Cooper.
Arkansas, Pages 19 on 12/23/2012