Updated June 18, 2019

The case accusing a Maury County Public Schools educator with stealing money from a school will be heard next month.

Records from the Maury County General Sessions Court indicate Amy Jo Helms, a title facilitator for Cox Middle School in Columbia, will go before the court on July 25 for the first day of her hearing.

Helms was arrested in May on a single charge of theft of more than $1,000, according to booking records at the Maury County Sheriff’s Department.

An incident report from the local department indicated that Cox Middle School Principal Tracy Marks reported the theft to the department prior to Helm’s arrest.

The principal told the police that the teacher and coach had failed to return a total of $1,448 from a fundraiser carried out by students who sold 90 McDonald’s meal tickets for $5 each.

The educator also failed to turn in funds from school concession sales and a candy fundraiser.

The deputy’s report also indicated that Helms blocked the principal’s phone number and did not show up for work at school following the alleged theft.

After being booked into the Maury County Jail on May 7, Helms was released on a $2,500 bond.

She remains on a leave of absence according to the school district’s May personnel report.

Theft of more than $1,000 is considered a class D felony in Tennessee, the punishment of which includes imprisonment for a term of no less than two years and no more than 12 years, and a fine not to exceed $5,000.