BY STEPHEN H. COWLES / CONTRIBUTING WRITER
stephen.cowles@tidewaternews.com

FRANKLIN—A Franklin woman has waived her right to a preliminary hearing for allegedly stealing $14,387 from her employer.

Deborah Edwards, 45, appeared in Franklin General District Court on Monday. Edwards will face a grand jury on Monday, March 21, said Southampton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Cooke.

Edwards gave oral and written statements admitting to stealing more than 46 checks from Family Practice Associates between October 2009 and March 2010, according to court records.

She was charged with one count of felony embezzlement.

Edwards was arrested Jan. 12. An investigation began after police were notified in May.