Newnan Teacher Arrested for Shoplifting LEGO Sets from Target

NEWNAN, GA – Melissa Cannon Bedenbaugh, 44, a kindergarten teacher at White Oak Elementary School, was arrested on Monday, December 8, 2025, for allegedly shoplifting from the Target store in Newnan, Georgia.

According to the Newnan Police Department incident report, surveillance video shows Bedenbaugh entering Target at 5:28 p.m. and heading toward the toy aisle. Officers report that she concealed multiple LEGO sets in her brown purse before walking past the self-checkout area and leaving the store.

The stolen items were later recovered by Target’s asset protection team. The total value of the LEGO sets was reported at $36.67. In addition to the theft charge, Bedenbaugh was criminally trespassed from the Target location. Her bond was set at $1,050.

Bedenbaugh is a Mom and has been a teacher for 14 years, with three of those years spent at White Oak Elementary. Embarrassing, but hopefully she’s able to pay a fine and get this theft taken off her record.