She Neglected to Pay for Some Ham at Walmart. The 'Living Nightmare' That Followed Forced Her to Abandon Her Career

A former Olympic athlete turned Division I softball coach says her career has suffered irreparable damage following an arrest at a Walmart that was later dismissed.

Meaggan Pettipiece, 48, was paying for her groceries at a Walmart in Porter County, Indiana when the machine did not scan the ham or asparagus. Pettipiece allegedly never intended to take them without paying, according to the National Post.

As Pettipiece made her way out with $176 dollars with of groceries, store security stopped her and eventually called the police for failing to pay the remaining $67 for the two items.

When police arrived they found "three disposable vapes and two unopened blister packs containing the anti-nausea medication Zofran in her purse." Police then charged her with theft, possession of marijuana, and possession of a controlled substance.

"It's been five months, a living nightmare. I lost my career, I lost my job, the life I was building and it's been really difficult," Pettipiece told the National Post. Pettipiece was forced to step down as the NCAA Division 1 softball coach at Valparaiso University following her arrest.

Pettipiece denied having any nicotine or THC in the vapes and claimed the anti-nausea pills belonged to a co-worker of hers. Pettipiece's lawyer submitted an application for dismissal on her behalf, which caused justice officials to dismiss the charges.

Despite the charges getting dropped, she said her career has faced "damage that can't be reversed."