A 23-year-old co-director of a Gwinnett County daycare center has been arrested and charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the business, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Shadia Monique Ross, of Stone Mountain, is suspected of stealing more than $16,000 from Legacy Academy, 1560 Summit Chase Drive, Snellville, police said.

Snellville police said they believe Ross took cash payments from parents and pocketed the money instead of turning it over to her employer.

“If (parents) handed cash, she would either take some or all of that money and not document it,” Snellville police Chief Roy Whitehead told Channel 2.

The investigation began in December after the daycare noticed a discrepancy in their books and contacted police.

Ross was arrested on a charge of theft by taking and booked into Gwinnett County Jail on Feb. 3, according to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office. She was released the next day on $5,700 bond.

No one answered the door at Ross’ home when Channel 2 knocked.