SAUGUS — A juvenile is facing charges after allegedly breaking into Saugus High School and stealing money from students with special needs.
Two weeks ago, the thief stole $1,000 from students in the Life Skills program, which includes seven children with special needs between the ages of 14 and 18 in one classroom, and a neighboring group of students between the ages of 18 and 22 who focus on transitioning into the workplace.
The students raised the money by creating and selling scarves, ornaments, fudge, and other small gift items. The money was to be spent on activities, including an after-school project that takes the teens to the supermarket or a fast food restaurant with a shopping list and predetermined budget.
When teachers returned to the school two weeks ago, they discovered the cash, which was stored in a classroom closet, was gone.
The identity of the suspect is not being released, because he or she is under 18, said Saugus Police Lt. Ronald Giorgetti, but a criminal complaint was filed in Lynn Juvenile Court charging the juvenile with breaking and entering in the nighttime with intent to commit a felony, larceny over $250, and malicious destruction over $250.
Giorgetti declined to comment on whether the suspect is a student at the school.
In the days that followed the theft, parents rallied to raise money to replenish the stolen funds. Two weeks later, they have collected more than 14 times the original amount.
“It’s just so amazing,” said Lori Coleman, whose 18-year-old son Jacob is a student in the Life Skills classroom.”It’s over $14,000 now. Something bad happened and something good came out of it.”
Teachers are considering using the money to take the students on an overnight chaperoned trip to CoCo Keys Water Resort, said Coleman.
“They’ll learn to be a little independent in a hotel room,” she said. “They’ll continue learning daily life skills and going to the supermarket every week to purchase all the items on their list, bring it back to the school and make something. It’s true life skills and it’s so important.”
