Published: November 03, 2009 02:01 pm      

NEW – Bedford County woman, daughter hold public signs of shame

BEDFORD — A woman and her daughter are outside Bedford County courthouse holding signs saying they stole a gift card from a 9-year-old girl on her birthday.

District Attorney Bill Higgins says in exchange for 56-year-old Evelyn Border and 35-year-old Tina Griekspoor, both of Bedford, agreeing to hold the signs, he’ll ask for probation instead of jail when they plead guilty.

The signs read: “I stole from a 9-year-old girl on her birthday! Don’t steal or this could happen to you!”

The mother and daughter were outside the court for 4 1/2 hours, until 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Higgins says they swiped a gift card which the girl set on a shelf while a WalMart employee helped her.

The girl’s mother planned to drive by the courthouse to teach her daughter the importance of obeying the law.