MASSAC COUNTY — The principal of a southern Illinois school has been arrested for taking money from a secured area at the Massac County school where she served.

According to the Massac County Sheriff’s Office, 48-year-old Wendy Wear, of Joppa, recently surrendered herself to the Massac County Detention Center where she was served with a warrant for Theft under $500 – a misdemeanor. She was released on a notice to appear in court.

On March 19, the sheriff’s office was asked to conduct an investigation into missing money from the Joppa Maple Grove School in Joppa.

During the investigation, it was learned that cash was missing from a secured area in the school. Several interviews were conducted with school staff. Video surveillance from the school was also used in the investigation.

The interviews and video surveillance led to charges we mentioned earlier being filed against Wear.

According to court records, she will make her first appearance on the theft charge in Massac County Court at 11 a.m. on Thursday, April 11.