SHREVEPORT, LA — Bridget Bridges, the former principal of North Highlands Elementary in Caddo Parish, was arrested Wednesday afternoon on felony theft charges. She was booked into the Caddo Correctional Center but is currently free on bond.
Bridges is the third principal in the district to face charges following an investigation into thefts from their schools. She joins Marco French, the suspended principal of Queensborough Elementary, and Raquel Fuggins-Mock, the former principal of Werner Park Elementary, both of whom were arrested last month on similar charges.
The arrests follow an internal audit by the Caddo school system, which revealed that a total of $9,700 in funds from the three schools had been diverted for personal use. According to the audit, Bridges had been paid for Saturday tutoring programs she did not attend. Fuggins-Mock used school funds to purchase gift cards, speakers, and silk flowers for her wedding. French, who was named Louisiana Principal of the Year in 2022, claimed reimbursements for tutoring sessions he did not attend and was reimbursed twice for an out-of-town conference trip.
Caddo District Attorney James Stewart noted that the principals could be eligible for pretrial diversion, where charges are dismissed if the defendants meet certain criteria, including restitution, which has already been made, and counseling. Stewart will make a decision on this after reviewing the case files from investigators.
In addition to the principals, a bookkeeper from Queensborough, Carla Anthony, has also been arrested on felony theft charges. Anthony resigned from the school district on October 7.
The investigation is ongoing, and further developments are expected.