WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – It’s a wonder how some people managed to gain employment in public education.

Amanda Hammon

Pasco County middle school science teacher Amanda Hammon is the perfect example.

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The teacher at John Long Middle School was busted recently for allegedly using her 3-year-old daughter as an accomplice in a series of shoplifting sprees at a local Walmart.

“Arrest records show Hammon, 30, and her boyfriend Jason Dorman, 32, would tag-team the shoplifting trips to the Wesley Chapel Walmart with Hammon’s 3-year-old daughter along for the ride,” 10News reports.

“Investigators say Dorman would remove security tags. Hammon would stash the stolen electronics into her daughter’s backpack and use the child to slip out of the store.”

The teacher, who resigned her teaching position because of her pending criminal charges, allegedly told police she stole the merchandise to fuel her drug habit. Police records indicate the shoplifters made off with a total of more than $1,700 in speakers and other electronics over the course of four days, according to the news site.

“I think that’s quite pathetic, to be honest, using your kid to steal stuff,” former student Erin Clark said.

“I was mortified. I think that’s kind of strange,” parent Sarah Connolly told 10News.

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Perhaps not surprisingly, school officials already had their eye on Hammon, who has worked under special restrictions since 2010.

“Oh, it’s despicable,” district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said. “She obviously has issues.”

The principal of John Long Middle School, where Hammon has worked for eight years, sent a letter home to parents to explain the teacher’s resignation, 10News reports.

“She knew what the outcome of the investigation was going to show so she resigned,” Cobbe said.

Hammon’s letter of resignation stated only “I Amanda Jo Hammon resighn (sic) my position with pasco (sic) County Schools effective immediately.”

Hammon is charged with retail grand theft and contributing to the delinquency of a child and was held on bond at the Land O’Lakes jail. Her daughter was left with a neighbor, who did not want to be identified by 10News.

“I hope that Amanda gets the help that she needs and gets everything sorted out, so she can care for her daughter. She’s only three, and with any luck she’ll never remember this,” the neighbor said.