PTA HEAD CHARGED WITH THREAT

JACKSON, Mo. -- The president of a Cape Girardeau school's parent-teacher association spent more than $1,600 on the Internet after using another woman's identity to acquire credit cards, police and prosecutor's reports state.

Rebecca A. Parkinson, 33, has been charged with felony and misdemeanor fraud and thefts of Alma Schrader school PTA funds, Cape Girardeau County prosecutor Morley Swingle said.

The prosecutor stated in a criminal complaint that Parkinson used the birthdate, social security number and other personal information belonging to a woman employed at the school to make credit purchases between Dec. 12 and Jan. 23.

Clothes and merchandise during those weeks were bought from Old Navy, the Gap, Midnight Velvet, Swiss Colony, and Seventh Avenue.

According to police, Parkinson told police she applied for credit accounts from her home using the Internet, and then made purchases totaling $1,625.

Earlier in December and in October, Parkinson is alleged to make attempts to get other credit cards.

Besides credit card fraud, Parkinson is charged with stealing $150 from two PTA fundraisers, Swingle said. Parkinson stole $100 from a PTA chicken and dumpling supper on Oct. 19, and $50 from a T-shirt fundraiser in November, Muench said.

Parkinson's family has lived in the area for several years, and attorney Allen Moss Jr. said he would seek a hearing for his client as soon as possible.

A summons rather than an arrest warrant was requested, since Parkinson is expected to show up for court as requested, Moss said.