Arkansas Woman Charged with Theft After $20K Overpayment

The $16.50 hourly wage mistakenly became $1,650 per hour for a 12-hour shift.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:54am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a crumpled dollar bill against a pitch-black background, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash to create a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic around the theme of financial crime.A harsh flash photograph of a crumpled dollar bill highlights the stark realities of an employee overpayment case that has led to criminal charges.Jonesboro Today

A 50-year-old woman from Jonesboro, Arkansas has been charged with theft after police say she was mistakenly paid $1,650 an hour for a 12-hour shift at a senior care facility, resulting in nearly $20,000 for just one day's work. The woman was meant to receive $16.50 per hour, but was overpaid due to a company error. When asked to repay the money, she claimed she had already spent it to repair her husband's semi-truck and refused to communicate further with the company.

Why it matters

This case highlights the challenges businesses face when dealing with employee overpayments, as well as the potential legal consequences for workers who refuse to return funds they were not entitled to receive. It also raises questions about financial responsibility and transparency between employers and employees.

The details

According to the Jonesboro Police Department, the woman was working a 12-hour shift for Superior Senior Care on May 10, 2025 when the overpayment occurred. The company said it gave her ample time to repay the money, but she broke off all communication and claimed she had already spent the funds. Police said the woman refused to speak in person to detectives, and she was eventually picked up on a bench warrant in Putnam County, Tennessee. She was booked into Craighead County Jail on a charge of theft greater than $5,000 but less than $25,000 and issued a $15,000 bond.

  • On May 10, 2025, the woman was mistakenly paid $1,650 per hour for a 12-hour shift.
  • Superior Senior Care said it gave the woman ample time to repay the money before she broke off communication.
  • On Monday, the woman was picked up on a bench warrant in Putnam County, Tennessee.
  • The woman is scheduled to appear in court in May.

The players

Superior Senior Care

The senior care facility that mistakenly overpaid the woman for a 12-hour shift.

The 50-year-old woman

A resident of Jonesboro, Arkansas who was charged with theft after refusing to return the $20,000 overpayment.

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What they’re saying

“She stated she understood the money she had received was from a bank loan she had applied for.”

— Jonesboro Police Department, Investigators

“She claimed she tried to offer to pay them back before asking for a lawyer.”

— Jonesboro Police Department, Investigators

What’s next

The judge will determine if the woman will be allowed to post bail at her upcoming court appearance in May.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of clear communication and financial responsibility between employers and employees, as well as the potential legal consequences for workers who refuse to return funds they were not entitled to receive.