Not a modern-day Robin Hood with a twist! A teenage girl faces the possibility of a felony charge after gifting a chunk of her grandmother’s savings to her classmates and others.
At this time, the girl’s identity is not public due to her minor status. However, the 14-year-old, who resides about 60 miles northwest of Orlando in Summerfield, stands accused of swiping about $13,500 from her granny’s home safe.
Marion County deputies responded to a call from Lake Weir Middle School on October 20 over complaints of a student handing out cash to their classmates. The arrest report states the receiving students were pocketing hundreds each, per NBC News.
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Girl Claims Money Was From Unknown Source At First
School employees searched the teenager’s backpack and discovered nearly $2,500. At first, the girl claimed an unknown former student gave her the money because they wanted it distributed.
However, those involved in the case later discovered the money wasn’t a random act of generosity. Instead, the teenage girl had committed a crime against her grandmother by dipping into her life savings. Investigators revealed the 14-year-old had broken into her elder’s home safe and swiped more than $13,000. The girl told investigators she busted open the safe using a screwdriver and metal pick.
It’s unclear whether the teenager lives with her grandmother or was visiting during the break-in. Though the girl has admitted to stealing the thousands, she hasn’t given investigators a motivation behind the break-in. The girl also didn’t mention why her classmates at school and at a bus stop became the beneficiaries of the stolen coins.
“She advised she took a stack of 20 dollar bills the size of about 6 inches out of the safe,” per the arrest report.
Officials Recover Less Than Half Of The Stolen Money
Within 24 hours of busting the teenager, officials recovered about $700 of the money other students received. The grandmother received that $700 combined with the $2,500 found in the girl’s backpack.
Multiple outlets say the girl is facing grand theft charges. Under Florida law, grand theft means “unlawful taking or using of property valued at $750 or more” with the intent to block the property owner of their usage rights.
Given the amount of money taken, the girl could be looking at a third-degree grand theft charge which lists theft of property valued between $750 and less than $20,000.
A conviction would mean up to five years in prison or five years probation with a $5,000 fine. It’s unclear if the grandmother or the state is the driving force behind the charges and whether the girl has obtained an attorney.
