Miramar residents with children in Broward County schools and parents who volunteer with school organizations should be aware that a local woman faces charges in an alleged misappropriation of parent-teacher organization funds.
Alyssa Hernandez, 47, who lived in Miramar and served as treasurer of the Driftwood Elementary School PTO for five years, was charged with third-degree grand theft — more than $10,000 but under $20,000 — according to Broward court records. She has pleaded not guilty, the records show.
What investigators say they found
Broward detectives opened the investigation after the school principal reported concerns in September, the probable cause affidavit says. School staff who reviewed the PTO accounts believed money was missing and raised questions about accounting provided by Hernandez.
- Investigators said the PTO’s internal spreadsheet of expenses and receipts did not match the bank statements Hernandez provided.
- Detectives found debit-card transactions linked to Hernandez’s account that they say did not appear to be for school use.
- Police noted several DoorDash deliveries to Hernandez’s Miramar home and Amazon purchases that included Levi’s jeans and a women’s electric shaver.
“Ms. Hernandez is, has always been, and always will be an upstanding member of the community,” her attorney, Randall Haas, told the Miramar News on July 9. “This case will be sorted out in the courts; however, I am optimistic that the truth will prevail and Ms. Hernandez will be vindicated of any wrongdoing.”
The arrest follows a roughly 10-month investigation, the affidavit states. School staff first flagged concerns after noticing that Hernandez had said the PTO had minimal funds and that some events, such as teacher appreciation, could not be held — comments that drew attention because the PTO had previously supported such events with fewer fundraisers.
Local impact and next steps
At this stage, court records show only charges and an ongoing legal process. Hernandez’s attorney has publicly disputed the allegations and expressed confidence that the courts will resolve the matter.
For parents and volunteers, the case underscores the importance of clear bookkeeping and regular oversight of PTO and booster accounts. School administrators and district officials routinely advise multiple signatories on accounts, regular reconciliations and retention of original bank statements; those practices are often cited as safeguards when questions arise.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Alyssa Hernandez, 47, Miramar resident |
| Charge | Third-degree grand theft (>$10,000 and < $20,000) |
| Alleged amount | $12,000 |
| School | Driftwood Elementary School PTO (Hollywood) |
| Investigation length | About 10 months |
Prosecutors will carry the burden of proving the charges in court. The records do not indicate any sentence or restitution order at this time; the case remains active in Broward County courts.
Anyone with questions about how PTO funds are managed can contact their school administration or the Broward County Public Schools finance office for guidance on best practices for volunteer-run accounts.
