Teacher Shoplifted Due to Sleeping Disorder

(Mansfield, Ohio) A 57-year-old English teacher at Mansfield High School, Deborah N. Ludlow, was arrested in June for allegedly shoplifting $240 worth of items from a department store.

On Monday of this week, Ludlow pleaded guilty to the charge in accordance with a plea agreement.

District Judge Ben Beland said the court would take the case under advisement for one year and if Ludlow meets the terms and conditions of her plea agreement, the misdemeanor case against her would be dismissed.

Ludlow’s attorney, Dusti Miller of Fort Smith, told the court her client is seeing a physician and seeking treatment for a sleep disorder at Healthsouth Sleep Disorder Center.

Beland told Ludlow she must continue treatment with her physician, get treatment for her sleep disorder and that she must report status and progress every three months to the court for a year in order for the case to be dismissed.

Mansfield School District Superintendent Jim Hattabaugh said he will recommend that Ludlow be terminated from her teaching position.

Notably, since the legal community has officially recognized that sleep disorders cause thievery, medical researchers will likely seek grant money to conduct supportive studies.

In conclusion, if you are thinking about stealing something, take a nap.


[Update 3/13/09]

Ludlow was arrested again this past week for shoplifting.

Deborah N. Ludlow, 58, of Fort Smith was at Dillard’s Department Store in Central Mall at about 1:50 p.m. Tuesday when she was seen taking two black coats into a dressing room and then exiting with only one coat, according to an incident report at the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office.

A court appearance is scheduled for March 31.