A Georgia elementary school assistant principal is facing felony shoplifting charges after police say she quietly stole from the same Walmart nearly 100 times in just two months.
Courtney Shaw, 47, was arrested after investigators accused her of repeatedly stealing merchandise from a Walmart on Bells Ferry Road in Woodstock, about 30 miles north of Atlanta. According to an incident report obtained by local ABC affiliate WSB, Shaw allegedly took more than $900 worth of items during 98 separate visits between Nov. 2 and Dec. 31, 2025.
Police say the thefts followed a familiar pattern. Shaw allegedly stacked two items together at self-checkout, scanned only one, then placed both into her bag or shopping cart before leaving the store. The report does not specify what items were taken, only that the behavior was repeated dozens of times before Walmart flagged the activity.
Shaw is currently listed as the assistant principal at Free Home Elementary School in Cumming, where she has worked since 2024. Her career in education spans more than two decades, including eight years as assistant principal at Bascomb Elementary School prior to her current role.
Following her arrest, the Cherokee County School District placed Shaw on administrative leave. In a statement to WSB, the district said it is conducting its own internal investigation alongside the criminal case.
“Maintaining the safety and security of our students and staff is our top priority and inappropriate conduct will never be tolerated,” the district said.
Shaw was taken into custody on Jan. 19 and booked into the Cherokee County Jail. She later posted a bond of nearly $5,000. Her next court appearance is scheduled for March 5, where the charges could determine whether a long career in education ends not in a classroom, but in a courtroom.
