Substitute Teacher Sentenced to Probation For Theft From a Motor Vehicle

MEDIA–Court of Common Pleas Judge Kevin Kelly sentenced the substitute teacher, who had stolen items from a student vehicle at the high school, to a maximum of three years of probation on Aug. 20 for theft from a motor vehicle. 

According to court documents, Jocelyn Murphy, 29, of Edgmont, was charged with one misdemeanor for theft from a vehicle in which a guilty plea was negotiated. In addition to her three-year probation, Murphy was ordered by Judge Kelly for restitution, special court directives, psychiatric evaluation, psychological evaluation, community service, and general supervision unit.

Three felony charges against Murphy for Retail Theft/Take-Mdse were dismissed by Judge Kelly.

Murphy was . Murphy was arrested on April 9 and posted bail on June 21 after a preliminary hearing before .

Hunter set Murphy's bail at $1,000 with an unsecured bail bond. Murphy's case was then waived to the Court of Common Pleas.

On April 9,  responded to the construction site located in the rear of Marple Newtown High School for a report of a theft from a vehicle.

According to the incident report,  and attempting to open several vehicle doors parked in the student parking lot.

The estimated loss of the stolen items is $3,178, according to the report.

Murphy had reported to the high school at approximately 7:20 a.m. that morning as a substitute teacher and was assigned to the research room. According to the report, Murphy denied trying to enter into any vehicles in the parking lot.