Hamilton County Board of Education member Janice Boydston says she inadvertently placed a few items in her purse before she was cited for shoplifting at the Lookout Valley Wal-Mart on July 25.
Ms. Boydston said she paid for $85 worth of groceries, but she must have accidentally placed foot pads, a toothbrush, toothpaste and a make-up container in her purse, which was sitting open in her cart.
While checking out, she also took her medicine with a cold drink. After paying for her groceries, she was confronted by a loss prevention officer, who asked to look in her purse. Ms. Boydston complied, and the loss prevention officer cited her to court for shoplifting.
“It was stupid of me to have my purse in the buggy, stupid of me for my purse to be open, but there was no intent,” she said. “I am not guilty of doing anything intentionally.”
Ms. Boydston is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 11, according to Hamilton County court records.
For complete coverage, see tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press.
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