Nazareth Teacher Accused of Shoplifting, Leaving Daughter Behind

Colonial Regional Police say a Lower Nazareth woman -- and Nazareth Area Intermediate School teacher -- stole from a township department store Saturday, and then left her 11-year-old daughter behind.

Stacee Banko, 32, of the 300 block of Township Line Road, is charged with retail theft and receiving stolen property.

Banko is a 5th grade teacher in the Nazareth Area School District, where she has taught for 10 years, according to teacherweb.com.

According to court records, Banko was at the Kohl's store in the Northampton Crossings shopping center when store security spotted her taking a shopping bag and loading it up with clothing.

Although Banko paid for one item, she left the store without paying for $184.94 in merchandise, according to police.

Police say Banko's daughter was with her at the time, unaware that her mother was stealing, or that she had left.

Banko was arraigned before on-duty District Judge Gay Elwell in Easton, and was free on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Banko's teacherweb.com profile says she is currently working toward her principal certification.

An e-mail sent Wednesday to Superintendent Dennis Riker was not immediately returned, though it is Yom Kippur and not a standard school day.