MAPLETON SEmD A former Mapleton City controller who is charged with theft has been reported missing.

Jeannie Bell was scheduled for arraignment Thursday in Provo's 4th District Court, but she did not show up. Mapleton police Chief Dean Pettersson said Bell's husband called police Tuesday morning and said he had not seen her since Monday.

"She is listed as a missing person," Pettersson said.

Pettersson said he could not release any more information about Bell's disappearance because it is still an active investigation. However, he said Bell is now on a nationwide missing persons list. If any police officer in the country comes into contact with Bell, the officer will have information that she is a missing person and will be able to contact Mapleton police, Pettersson said.

Pettersson said nobody knows what Bell was wearing when she disappeared. She did have a car with her, but police have located the car. Pettersson said he could not release where the car was found. Although Bell is facing a felony charge and missed a hearing, Pettersson said her disappearance is being treated the same as any other missing person.

"We're treating it absolutely the same," he said. "We just want to make sure she's OK."

Bell's attorney, Doug Baxter, said he has met with his client in recent weeks to go over evidence in the case. He said he spoke with her as recently as last weekend and she seemed normal. She did not seem to be distraught over the situation and was working with him to look through evidence and decide what to do.

Baxter said Thursday's hearing was just another step in the process and he has been trying to work toward a resolution in the case.

"I did expect her to be here today," he said.

Judge James Taylor issued a no-bail warrant for Bell's arrest when she did not show up in court.

Prosecutor Craig Johnson said he has met with Mapleton City and Bell's attorney to solidify restitution in the case, which is standard practice. He said he has not spoken with Bell or Baxter in three to four weeks, and did not expect to. However, he said it is a concern to the state that she did not appear in court Thursday and apparently did not contact her lawyer either.

"She has lost contact with her attorney, who is quite readily available," Johnson said.

Johnson said he hopes Bell is OK and that she will be picked up quickly on the statewide warrant. The biggest concern in the state is to get Mapleton City's money back, which cannot be done if Bell does not come to court, he said.

"Ultimately, we want her to start paying back restitution," Johnson said.

In the past, Bell has shown up to every hearing on time, Johnson said. She and her attorney have also had regular contact with the county attorney's office.

"All indications are that the investigation and prosecution have gone smoothly," he said.

Bell was city controller in Mapleton from 2003 until her resignation on June 1 this year. Prosecutors allege she used city money to buy items that she later sold on eBay. She allegedly bought stamps and gift cards between January 2007 and May 2009, then sold the items for personal gain. The amount of money taken has not been specified, but Johnson said it is greater than $5,000.

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