Florence, October 4, 2025

News Summary

Sandra Jean Edwards, a 39-year-old former bookkeeper for Northgate Baptist Church, has been arrested for allegedly misappropriating over $112,000 in church funds. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office charged her with breach of trust involving amounts exceeding $10,000. Edwards allegedly used a church credit card for personal expenses over a two-year period, and further charges may follow as the investigation continues. The church community is left grappling with feelings of betrayal as officials promise a thorough review of its financial practices to prevent future incidents.

Florence

Sandra Jean Edwards, a 39-year-old former bookkeeper for Northgate Baptist Church, has been arrested by the Florence County Sheriff’s Office on charges of misusing church funds estimated at over $112,000. She faces a serious charge of breach of trust with fraudulent intent, involving amounts of $10,000 or more.

The investigation indicates that Edwards allegedly misused a credit card belonging to the church for personal purchases. This misuse reportedly occurred over a span of time from March 20, 2023 to July 30, 2025. The total amount misappropriated during this period is approximately $112,312.07.

Edwards is currently detained at the Florence County Detention Center and is awaiting a bond hearing. As the investigation is still ongoing, authorities have noted the potential for additional charges against her.

Officials from the sheriff’s office have stated that Edwards knowingly and willfully converted church funds for her own personal use and benefit, highlighting the serious nature of the alleged offense. This incident not only raises concerns about financial trust but also the ethical obligations of those in fiduciary roles within community organizations.

Additional Details

Edwards’ arrest raises significant concerns within the congregation of Northgate Baptist Church, as many members are likely to feel betrayed by someone they trusted to manage the church’s financial affairs. The church’s board is expected to conduct an internal review to assess the extent of the financial discrepancies and to implement new measures to safeguard against similar incidents in the future.

The sheriff’s office has assured the community of its commitment to thoroughly investigating this case. As per their statement, they will look into all aspects of how the church’s finances were managed and whether further infractions have occurred.

Background Context

This case underscores a growing problem many non-profit organizations face regarding financial integrity and the trust placed in individuals responsible for managing funds. Past incidents of financial misappropriation within religious organizations have led to closer scrutiny of financial practices and a demand for greater accountability. Churches and other non-profit entities are being urged to implement stricter oversight procedures, including regular audits and transparency measures to protect themselves from similar situations.

In light of Edwards’ arrest, other organizations may need to review their financial policies and ensure that their accounting procedures are robust enough to prevent any potential misuse of funds in the future.

Conclusion

While Sandra Jean Edwards is presumed innocent until proven guilty, her arrest for the alleged misuse of church funds serves as a critical reminder of the importance of financial integrity within community organizations.

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Additional Resources

• WMBF News: Former Bookkeeper Misused Over $100K in Pee Dee Church Funds
• WPDE: Former Bookkeeper at Florence Church Misused More Than $100K
• WBTW: Former Florence Church Bookkeeper Accused of Over $100K Misuse
• SC Now: Investigation into Former Bookkeeper’s Misuse of Church Funds
• The State: Former Church Bookkeeper Charged with Fraudulent Intent
• Wikipedia: Financial Fraud
• Google Search: Financial Fraud in Non-Profit Organizations
• Google Scholar: Non-Profit Financial Mismanagement
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Non-Profit Organization
• Google News: Church Financial Fraud

Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER

FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.