Conned by my ‘daughter’
Stella McCarthy treated her employee Alacia like one of the family, until she discovered her web of lies and an £8k debt
Watching Alacia play so gently with the children in the kids’ club I owned, I was filled with happiness.
I’d taken a risk employing her when she applied as an apprentice in April 2014. She was just 15, with no childcare experience, but something about her confident and caring manner told me she was going to be a great employee. And I was right.
Not only was she brilliant with the children and their parents, she was great with staff too.
We ran breakfast and after-school clubs, plus holiday sessions for over 90 children aged 3-12, and it was busy. But Alacia always had a way of lifting our spirits.
Once, she came to me after a particularly stressful week with a beautiful bouquet of flowers. ‘To cheer you up,’ she smiled. ‘You’re my superstar,’ I beamed, pulling her in for a hug.
I had a son, Michael, 29, as well as three daughters – Holly, 27, Megan, 26, and Jasmine, 25 – but over the years I came to think of Alacia as my fourth daughter.
She was friends with my girls, all who worked at the club at various points, but was really close with Jasmine. They often came home together to flop in front of the TV or do beauty treatments together.
Alacia often stayed over, I’d make her tea and she’d chat with my husband Mick, 62.
‘You’re one of the family,’ I told her.
Trusting her implicitly, I promoted her to playworker and then senior playworker.
I repaid hers and all my staff’s hard work with gifts on their birthdays as well as £50 cash at Christmas. I also treated them to nights out where I paid for everything, right down to the taxis.
Then in March 2019, when I decided to step back a bit from the business and delegate some of my responsibilities, Alacia was the natural choice for deputy manager.
‘I’m honoured, thank you, Stella,’ she cried.
Her new responsibilities involved paying staff wages and keeping up with the weekly rent payments to the school. Responsible and efficient, even at 20, I knew I was leaving my business in capable hands. And she proved me right.
‘I don’t know what I’d do without her,’ I told Mick.
In August 2019, I treated her to a spa weekend as a thank you for all she had done.
‘ You’re so kind, Stella,’ she said as we sipped Champagne.
A few months later, Alacia told me she was moving into her own place. As I’d done with all my daughters, I bought her some house-warming gifts – a microwave, toaster and kettle. ‘Thanks, Stella,’ she beamed. With Christmas approaching, we prepared for our work party.
Only, Alacia didn’t seem herself. Worried and quiet. ‘Something wrong?’ I asked. ‘I’ve got into some debt,’ she eventually admitted. ‘I don’t know how it happened, but I owe £3,000.’
I sighed and thought for a moment. I certainly didn’t have that kind of cash to give away, but Mick and I had a savings account.
‘I’ll loan you it and you can start paying me back after Christmas,’ I told her. I hated seeing her anxious.
She was so relieved and thanked me when I gave her the money the same day.
A few days later, I got home from work and noticed a recorded delivery letter waiting for me. Opening it, my hands started trembling. It was an eviction notice from the council claiming I hadn’t paid rent to the school for nine months. I owed them a staggering £7,600.
‘It must be a mistake,’ Mick said.
Alacia said the same when I texted her.
‘Of course it’s been paid,’ she replied.
But later my phone pinged again – another message from Alacia.
‘So sorry, please don’t tell anyone, I didn’t pay the rent.’
I sat speechless. Mick wanted me to call the police but I was too shocked.
Alacia had stolen the rent money.
That night, I didn’t sleep, my head reeling about the meals I’d cooked her, the gifts I’d given her, the £3,000 I loaned her…
With dread in my stomach, I realised I wasn’t getting that back.
I also remembered the flowers she was always buying me – she’d been so generous – with my money.
I felt completely betrayed. ‘ Why would you do this to me?’ I asked her in a text the next day, but she didn’t reply.
I went to the bank and emptied all my personal accounts – including money I’d put aside for my grandchildren, then went to the school to pay what I owed.
That morning was Alacia’s 21st birthday. I didn’t expect her to show up at work, so was surprised when she walked in.
‘You should leave,’ I said.
‘Don’t you want me at work anymore?’ she asked, innocently. I realised she thought I was going to let her get away with it.
‘I never want you near me again,’ I told her. She turned away and left.
Later, with a heavy heart, I reported Alacia to the police.
Afterwards, I tried to keep the club going but, with no savings, more debt and then Covid-19 hitting, I was forced to close.
Our 96 families who relied on us were devastated. My staff all lost their jobs. My lease car had to go back, and I was charged a penalty. I struggled financially, despite having worked hard all my life.
Alacia Bowker, now 22, appeared at Bolton Crown Court in September 2020 and admitted theft.
She was sentenced to 12 months in prison, suspended for 18 months and ordered to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work, plus 20 days of rehabilitation activities.
She must also pay £2,500 in compensation over the next two years.
It’s pathetic, really, when I spent years building up my business and used my own savings to pay off the debts, yet she walks away having to pay just a fraction of what she owes.
But it’s not just the money. I treated her like a daughter and she totally betrayed me with her greed. I’ll never forgive her.
‘I thought I was leaving my business in a pair of capable hands’