Woman accused of stealing nearly $4k from People Helping Paws

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A woman has been charged with a felony after she was accused of stealing money from a Jefferson City animal rescue.

Stacy Stafford was charged on Monday in Cole County with stealing more than $750. A criminal summons was issued for her and a hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 19 at the Cole County Circuit Court.

The probable cause statement says the vice president of a nonprofit told police on Nov. 2, 2025, that the former CEO of the organization – identified as Stafford – “used organizational funds to pay for thousands of dollars in unauthorized personal expenses.” People Helping Paws Cat Rescue and Dog Rescue was the nonprofit identified in the complaint.

The statement says the vice president had told police that Stafford was relieved from her position and the organization received a notice from a vendor about an outstanding debt.

Police wrote that bank records showed that Stafford spent $3,932.72 of the organization’s money between June 8, 2023-Oct. 18, 2024. Other purchases were allegedly fraudulent, but police were either unable to verify them and some were “outside the statute of limitations,” the statement says.

Police spoke with Stafford over the phone on Feb. 19 and she was “unable to identify any other individuals with such access” to the bank account.