Sep 12, 2006 By The 2 min read

A Greene County woman who drove the getaway car in the 2005 theft of a donation box from Panera Bread in South Union Township pleaded guilty to the charges she faces on Monday. Fayette County Judge Gerald R. Solomon will sentence Mary E. Landman, 40, of Greensboro next month for criminal conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property.

Landman was one of three allegedly involved in the theft of donations that were to benefit Alexandra Schaney, a 6-year-old with a rare form of cancer that attacks the nervous system. Her aunt, Christine Schaney, a South Union Township resident, has spearheaded fund-raisers for her and founded a charity in her niece’s name.

Earlier this year, Douglas Lee Gump, 19, of Greensboro pleaded guilty to theft by unlawful taking, conspiracy to commit theft and receiving stolen property. Gump stole the donation box, police alleged. He was sentenced to four to 24 months in prison.

Gump’s uncle, Richard L. Gump, faces the same charges he does. He has pleaded not guilty in the matter and faces trial.

After Douglas Gump stole the donation box, state police allege the three used the box to collect money door-to-door in Greene County.

The box contained about $90 when it was stolen.

Landman’s attorney, Thomas W. Shaffer, said that she had a crack cocaine problem at the time of the theft, and the three used money they stole to buy drugs.

Schaney was diagnosed with cancer in April 2004. She is the daughter of Clint and Kelly Schaney, who moved from Fayette County to North Carolina in 2000.

Landman will be sentenced on Oct. 13.