Scammon admits to stealing church day-care funds

A Dixon woman admitted to embezzling money from a church-run daycare and trying to cover it up. Kelly Lynn Scammon, 51, entered a plea of guilty in District Court in Polson July 2 to felony theft by embezzlement and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence.

The plea was entered as part of an agreement that calls for a five-year commitment to the Montana Department of Corrections on each count to run consecutively. She will also be ordered to pay restitution of $46,498.12. The judge is not bound by the agreement.

According to court records, on Feb. 28, 2024, a member of the Zion Lutheran Church of St. Ignatius contacted law enforcement to report a possible theft involving Scammon and funds missing from the church’s daycare account. Scammon was responsible for depositing funds into that account.

Scammon was advised of a possible audit of financial books. However, the computer program she used to record financial transactions was wiped clean.

An audit determined that between 2021 and 2024 more than $19,000 was missing. Scammon initially denied stealing money, but when interviewed a second time, she admitted to it. However, she denied wiping out computer records.

Judge Molly Owen set sentencing for Aug. 20. Scammon is at liberty.