Two expected to be charged in Dougherty County School System property theft

ALBANY — Dougherty County School System Police Chief Troy Conley confirmed Wednesday that two people are expected to be charged with a count each of misdemeanor theft in the unauthorized removal of school system property from the closed Sylvester Road Elementary School.

Conley said that the charges are to be filed before the end of this week. The system already has terminated district supervisor Barbara McClenton and has disciplined Westover High School head custodian Marilyn Bush-Milledge and custodians Marvin Russ, Latonya Davis and Essie Sindy.

The five were accused of the unauthorized taking of items ranging from computer Leap Pads to student desks, chairs and a refrigerator from the vacant school, which was shuttered in 2013.

According to the summary report prepared by the school system’s law enforcement unit, “our office was contacted by the Albany Police Department to respond to an address in the community in reference to a search warrant being issued. APD investigators reported they had found items that belonged to our school system.”

That revelation sparked an internal theft investigation of items taken from the vacant school. During the course of that investigation, it was determined that some custodians were responsible for taking items from the school.

“It was also revealed that a custodian district manager (McClenton) collaborated with the head custodian at Westover High School (Bush-Milledge) to take several items from Sylvester Road for the purpose of furnishing and equipping a day care center in Leesburg, Ga.,” the report added.

The day care facility, Bella’s Learning Center, is owned by Bush-Milledge’s daughter, Tokela Huston.

“We were given four tables and 20 chairs around two years ago, and I wrote them (the DCSS) a check for $1,500 just over two weeks ago. I have a receipt.” Huston said. “This all started when Barbara (McClenton) called my mother and said they are throwing this stuff away from the Sylvester Road School, and she told us to come get the furniture. We were just starting the business and, at the time, thought it was a blessing.

“Right now, all I want to do is clear my mother’s name.”

DCSS Assistant Superintendent of Support Services Jack Willis said mistakes were made at the administrative to the custodial levels.

“There is no doubt mistakes were made, we really fumbled the ball,” Willis said. “All we can do is move on from here and prevent this from happening again.”