Day care owner Jessica Tata accused of theft

HOUSTON

/*Jessica Tata*/ is charged with theft. According to court documents, she is accused of stealing food stamps worth somewhere between $1,500 and $20,000 from December 1, 2007 through February 28, 2011. The theft charge was filed on September 1. No bond has been set in the case.

Tata has pleaded not guilty to the four murder charges against her. She has previously pleaded not guilty to five other charges in connection with the fire at her west Houston day care in February that killed four toddlers -- Shomari Dickerson, Elias Castillo, Elizabeth Kajoh and Kendyll Stradford. Tata was not in the home at the time the fire broke out.

Her first trial is scheduled to begin on January 23, 2012.

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