Day care director steals more than $45,000 to pay her rent and go shopping, feds say

An Illinois day care was forced to cut back services and consider closing because its director embezzled tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said.

Bridget Hansen, of Springfield, stole more than $45,000 while working as the director of Our Redeemer Day Care in Jacksonville, according to an Oct. 27 news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois.

She stole the day care’s money from about December 2018 to September 2019 by writing herself checks and transferring funds into her own accounts, prosecutors said.

She pleaded guilty to wire fraud in January, records show. Now, the 40-year-old woman has been sentenced to one year and a day in prison

Hansen has also been ordered to pay $45,894.53 in restitution, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Her defense attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Oct. 30.

Federal authorities said Hansen used the stolen money to pay rent, go shopping and pay for other personal expenses.

“At the hearing, Judge (Sue) Myerscough indicated that Hansen abused her position of trust and her actions caused, not only internal financial hardships to Our Redeemer Day Care, but had additional consequences by limiting the day care’s ability to obtain grants and other resources that would enhance the programs for the children in their care,” according to the release.

McClatchy News reached out to Our Redeemer Day Care on Oct. 30 and did not immediately receive a response.

Jacksonville is about 35 miles west of Springfield.