Police: Mom Uses Children In Medicine-Cabinet Ruse

STAUNTON, Va.—A woman employed her small children in a ruse to steal drugs from medicine cabinets, claiming the little ones needed to use the bathroom, Staunton police said Friday.

Melissa Suzane Schmokel, 24, of Weyers Cave, took her kids, ages 4 and 8, to a man’s home in the 400 block of Peach Street at about 5 p.m. Thursday and asked to use the restroom. Once inside, Schmokel took medication and drove off, police said.

But the homeowner wasn’t far behind. The 28-year-old man followed Schmokel less than a mile to the 1800 block of Orchard Lane, where she unsuccessfully tried the same ploy again, Staunton police Officer Lisa Klein said.

An officer soon arrested Schmokel, charging her with breaking and entering, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, petty larceny and possession of a controlled substance.

She faces a plea hearing Monday in an Augusta County prescription fraud case.

Schmokel is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail in Verona.

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