She is accused of stealing thousands from her school.

Police say 47-year old Penny Mercer used her position at Stonewall Elementary to write school check for personal use.

An auditor recently examined the books at the school and found something was amiss and that signs pointed to Mercer.

Mercer left the school for another job before she was arrested earlier this month.

"She kind of implicated herself, but she didn't agree or confess to the numbers that the auditor found. She agreed or confessed lower numbers," JSO's Ken Jefferson said

He says she spent hundreds and grocery stores and on gift cards.

She is now out on bond but charged with grand theft, forgery, and fraudulent use of credit cards.

Duval County Schools are not commenting on the accusations.