A children's hospital official in central Illinois faces a charge of embezzling $500,000 from the institution since 2008, according to a published report.

Reports indicate Springfield police on Monday arrested 55-year-old Margaret "Peggy" Curtin, executive director of St. John's Children's Hospital. State's Attorney John Milhiser says she is in custody at the Sangamon County Jail on $1 million bond.

Curtin has been charged with felony theft after St. John's Hospital officials "discovered financial irregularities related to certain hospital operations and contacted law enforcement". "St. John's Hospital officials are cooperating fully with law enforcement as they investigate the matter."

St. John's spokesman Brian Reardon said Curtin has been suspended without pay.