Mother, daughter arrested for embezzlement of local business

A mother and daughter have been charged with embezzlement of a local business after they were left in charge. Now, the once trusted workers are out on bond and are awaiting their next court hearing.

It was a story Guthrie News Page first brought you in June after a 9-year-old girl was trying to help her mom recover stolen money from their business. Related story: 9-year-old girl trying to help mom recover stolen money

According to court papers, Lori Fellers, owner of Artistic Tile and Marble, took several months off from work to tend to a relative and upon returning discovered over $10,000 was missing.

Phyllis Austin, 73, and her daughter Teresa Little, 47, operated the business while Fellers was away. Upon her return, Fellers became suspicious and later discovered deposits were not made in six months.

Austin and Little were arrested and have been charged with embezzlement. Little faces an additional charge of grand larceny. Both have posted a $7,500 bond.

In the police report, Fellers questioned Austin on cash tickets she had located and were not deposited. When Austin was confronted about the money she became offended by Fellers questioning and stated she had never taken any money. However, as police were en route to the store, Austin asked, “how much are you thinking I stole?” Fellers responded by saying she had cash tickets for $2,961. Soon after, Austin said she was going to the bank to get her the money and left the store.

Austin returned to the store and with an officer present gave Fellers $1,983 in cash and said, “it was just a mistake, I am sorry.” Again, Fellers questioned Austin about any other items that may have been withheld. That is when Austin said she kept $100 for window seals and pulled out $100 from her pocket and gave it to Fellers.

The next day, the officer responded back after more cash transactions were discovered not to have been deposited along with suspicious activity.

A customer, and apparent friend of Little, stated she paid Little $700 for granite work in two bathrooms. After looking at photos taken by police, Fellers estimated the job would have cost $2,200.

In another alleged taking, Little’s husband told an officer that he helped his wife take brick pavers from the business to their home on Mother’s Day. Feller says each paver is priced at $3 and believes 750 pavers were taken for a cost of $2,250.

If found guilty, both could be force to pay restitution, serve up to five years in prison and pay a fine up to $5,000. The mother and daughter are expected to be back in court on Sept. 25.