In a troubling incident in East St. Louis, a middle school art teacher claims that a 13-year-old student stole her wallet and went on a spending spree using her credit card. Tammy Huggins, an employee at Mason-Clark Middle School, learned of the theft on March 21 when she received a text alerting her to unauthorized charges on her credit card.
Upon checking her purse, Huggins discovered that her wallet, containing several credit cards, her driver’s license, and $200 in cash, was missing. One particular charge stood out to her—a $220 purchase from Shein, a popular clothing retailer. This led her to suspect her student, as several classmates informed her that the boy had openly admitted to stealing the card and bragged about using it for various purchases, including food delivery through Doordash.
The school principal, Renaldo Jackson, assured Huggins that the situation would be addressed. He communicated that the family of the student was willing to take full responsibility and that the student would apologize for his actions. Principal Jackson also indicated that he would work to ensure she was compensated for her losses, stating, “The family wants to make you whole. She wants to apologize,” and gave Huggins one of the two credit cards that had been used.
Additionally, Jackson sent out a letter to the parents of the school community describing the events. Allegedly, the student’s parents expressed their commitment to covering any financial losses incurred by Huggins due to their child’s actions, and the student had penned a formal apology.
However, Huggins has publicly challenged the accuracy of the information contained in the letter. As of March 29, Huggins reported that while she had received one credit card, her other belongings—including the cash, her driver’s license, and her wallet—had yet to be returned. She emphasized that the $200 stolen from her was not trivial; as a teacher who lives paycheck to paycheck, that amount represents a significant financial setback.
“It’s the difference between me buying the sticker for my car and not buying the sticker for my car,” she articulated, underscoring the difficult financial realities faced by many educators.
Despite the assurances from the school administration, Huggins decided to file a police report regarding the theft, as she felt that her concerns were not being adequately addressed. The police report serves as an acknowledgment that such breaches of trust and integrity in an educational environment cannot be taken lightly.
In a statement addressing the incident, the East St. Louis School District expressed its commitment to handling reports of lost or missing property with seriousness. The district emphasized that maintaining a safe and respectful learning atmosphere is a top priority, though they refrained from commenting on the specifics of this case.
This incident raises broader questions about accountability and responsibility among students and the steps educational institutions are prepared to take to protect the welfare of their staff. Teachers should be able to focus on educating young minds without fear of theft or misconduct happening within the walls of the school.
As this case unfolds, it will hopefully reinforce the importance of maintaining integrity in schools as a core value and serve as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with the privilege of education. It’s crucial that both students and parents understand the implications of such actions and the importance of respecting others’ property. Teachers play a vital role in shaping the future, and respect for their belongings should be a fundamental lesson in personal responsibility for their students.
