The $20,000 Recess
Atlanta, GA
A fifth-grader was handing out large amounts of cash to other students at an elementary school on Northside Drive, according to school officials. More than $250 was passed out, the social worker said. When school officials asked the fifth-grader about it, he voluntarily handed over the rest of the money: a whopping $19,124.
School officials called a police detective and the fifth-grader’s mom to the school. The detective asked the mother whether her son should have money in excess of $100 on his person. No, she said. The detective asked whether she had large sums of money in her home. No, she said. The detective pointed out that more than $19,000 was found on her son. “[The mother] then recanted her earlier affirmations and said that she had around $19,500 stored in her dresser (her retirement fund), but that she did not mention it, as she did not think that her son would go into her drawer and take the money,” according to a police report.
She refused to let police search her home. So police put the $19,124 in five manila envelopes, and put the envelopes about three feet apart on the floor. Then, they let police dogs do their thing. One dog gave a positive sign for “narcotics odor” on an envelope. Police put a hold on the money for narcotics and asset forfeiture. The investigation continues.
Found in Creative Loafing
June 26th, 2007 at 1:02 am
I know for a fact a fifth grader could tell you where exactly he got it. It also seems his mom may have not known a thing about the cash, but tried to claim it was hers’ once she found out how much it was. As far as the narcotics issue–The Burden of Proof is in her favor regardless what they say the dog says. lol
June 26th, 2007 at 4:40 am
There have been studies done that show that something like 75% of all US currency in circulation has drug residue on it. GT, I’m sorry to say this, but under civil forfeiture laws (HIGHLY unconstitutional, BTW), the cops have the money, so now the burden of proof is on her. Not only that but the cops will probably spend every penny of it and some more besides, trying to deprive her of everything else she does or has ever or will ever own:-(
June 26th, 2007 at 9:35 am
It was mine. I confess. Can I have it back?
June 26th, 2007 at 10:05 am
Some of you guys might have sympathy for this lady but who is stupid enough to keep over $19,000 in cash just lying around unprotected in their house? Has she not heard of burglars or fire or snooping 11 year old kids?
June 26th, 2007 at 11:37 am
Mike’s got it right…..
June 26th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
I agree mike. that isn’t a valid way to test it. Most money has some sort of drug residue on it. Maybe she found it, maybe she did save it, maybe it is drug money but they have to ahve more proof then just that.
June 26th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
just ask her to describe it.
June 27th, 2007 at 4:37 pm
Ok it’s Mine! It’s green (some with peachy color also) with letters and numbers and there is a security strip on it that has the face value of the bill embossed into it. lol