Hempfield Township, PA -- The Westmoreland County Detective Bureau filed charges against a Hempfield Township woman accused of pocketing $46,000 for personal gain. 

Darshanna Truss, 35, is facing theft charges after an allegation of the misappropriation of funds from the Fort Allen Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization was reported to police. 

The referral was made after the organization acknowledged the shortage of funds within the group's checking account at a parent meeting in early March, according to detectives. 

The PTO provides support to students and teachers at Fort Allen Elementary by sponsoring and organizing events, field trips, enrichment programs, and other educational activities. 

The PTO president told detectives the account is maintained through a local financial institution and managed by the PTO Treasurer, Darshanna Truss. 

Detectives learned that Truss has been the PTO's treasurer since 2023. 

The PTO president told investigators that the organization's balance remained consistent until 2024 when there was a substantial decline in funds. 

Upon further review, the PTO president identified multiple checks being issues directly to Truss and to 'cash' and being endorsed by Truss. 

Detectives reviewed the financial records and discovered that between July 1, 2023 to present, Truss was issued 48 checks totaling $28,400 and 30 checks issued to 'cash' totaling $17,600. 

The checks issued directly to Truss were deposited into her personal bank accounts via mobile deposit, according to investigating Detective Ray Dupilka. 

Detectives believe the total amount taken by Truss from the PTO account totaled approximately $46,000. 

Prior to speaking to detectives about the allegations, Truss admitted to providing Fort Allen Elementary school with a $10,000 cashier's check to be used toward ongoing PTO operations. 

Disclaimer: To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed, all such charges are merely accusations and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.