Former Ascension Parish schools employee arrested for theft

A former Ascension Parish public schools employee was arrested for theft of more than $12,000 from the school system, the Ascension Sheriff's Office said.

Kayla Jones, 33, turned herself in this week and was booked into the Ascension Parish jail on a count of felony theft of $5,000 but less than $25,000 the sheriff's office said in a news release.

The investigation began in April, after school district officials reported to the sheriff's office that Jones had taken $12,624 during her time of employment.

"An internal audit and follow-up investigations showed that the funds were taken in separate amounts over a period of time," the sheriff's office said.

The investigation is ongoing, the department said.