Police in Abington Township are seeking charges against a private school employee accused of using her employer’s bank cards to make more than $34,000 in unauthorized purchases, according to court documents.
The investigation began Dec. 7, 2025, when the owner of the private school, who resides on the 100 block of West Avenue in Elkins Park, reported fraudulent activity on business accounts tied to a private school in Philadelphia.
According to police, between Feb. 22 and Nov. 27, 2025, two company bank cards were used to purchase more than 800 items through Amazon, totaling $34,430.28. The purchases were traced to an account belonging to Christine Coleman, 36, of Willow Grove, who was employed at the school’s daycare during that time.
Police said the victim did not authorize the purchases. Although the employee may have had access to the card information in the past for business-related purchases, no permission was given for use in 2025.
Investigators also allege that after the victim canceled one compromised card in November and received a replacement, the new card was used days later to make additional purchases on the same Amazon account.
A review of records showed transactions were made using both the victim’s bank cards and a personal card belonging to Coleman during the same time period.
Coleman told police the use of the card may have been accidental. Investigators said the volume and duration of the transactions make that explanation unlikely.
Coleman now faces three felony charges, including Access Device Fraud, Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition, and Receiving Stolen Property.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2026, at 12:45 p.m. before Magisterial District Judge Juanita A. Price.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
