Son’s car keys were stolen at school and car was moved

[Anonymous]

The police could tell the other parents you’ll drop the charges if they pay for the key. That or getting another kid to tell you his name and then you contact his family directly and say the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually the other kids know though. OP doesn’t your kid know? If not, other kids definitely do.

Yeah you’re more likely to get it from kids than the school no matter how long you stay. But in the long run, I don’t see how you’re going to force someone to pay. There is so much he-said-he-said here and likely insufficient evidence to get you anywhere.

They have the perp on camera. I wouldn’t let it go. I wouldn’t make a scene in the school or anything but neither would I just let it be handled quietly and internally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually the other kids know though. OP doesn’t your kid know? If not, other kids definitely do.

Yeah you’re more likely to get it from kids than the school no matter how long you stay. But in the long run, I don’t see how you’re going to force someone to pay. There is so much he-said-he-said here and likely insufficient evidence to get you anywhere.

They have the perp on camera. I wouldn’t let it go. I wouldn’t make a scene in the school or anything but neither would I just let it be handled quietly and internally.

It’s not clear what all they have on camera. Per OP the investigation is continuing. Regardless, what is she going to do? Let the car sit for the next year or so until the lawsuit she files to collect a few hundred dollars (and costs her more than that in filing fees and time) winds it’s way through small claims court? Or hope for a criminal conviction and an order of restitution which will be years in the coming, if ever? It’s less than $200 to get your car rekeyed - had to have it done myself.

[Anonymous]

Get a lawyer.
The school know who caused harm against you and is not giving you the info. The school can either give up the name, or pay for the rekey and any other financial loss themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your school have a PTA or someone who produces a directory?

Otherwise if you know the kid’s name you/your kid can start asking around. If it’s a neighborhood school someone has to have an idea where he lives.

It's not 1988. OP can use google to find out if she knows the kid's name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. The key has not been returned. I was unable to leave work during the school day today when everything was happening and will ask to meet with the officer and principal tomorrow. I won’t leave the school until I get the parent’s name(s).

Do you know the name of the kid who stole the key? You should start googling and looking back on elementary school or middle school directories to see if you can find the parent’s names.

Back in the 80s I would say it’s a prank but today stealing keys and moving a car is theft. You will need to get the police involved in this if you want to push it further.

I hope you got the key back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The school has camera footage of the kid with the keys showing it to other students and the police are going to review more school camera footage tomorrow. The police and the school is not giving us information about the kid since he is a minor.

The police are protecting the identity of the thief because he's a minor? This is interesting. Which county is this?

How did the police suggest you all be compensated for this inconvenience? I'm guessing since the key was returned, they're considering the issue closed and resolved?

This is very common.

My DD was being bullied and did not tell me. I was contacted by her counselor after an incident in which water was dumped through her gym locker, soaking her clothes that were in there while wearing her PE clothes. The counselor and Principal both said they couldn't give me the students' names or their exact punishment details due to privacy concerns.

Yeah that's a federal law regarding school records. But that's totally separate to a stolen car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does your school have a PTA or someone who produces a directory?

Otherwise if you know the kid’s name you/your kid can start asking around. If it’s a neighborhood school someone has to have an idea where he lives.

It's not 1988. OP can use google to find out if she knows the kid's name.

Of course you can use the internet, but most kids don't have a broad enough digital footprint that you can simply google their name and get accurate/helpful info. If the kid has a somewhat unique name at most she might find a private instagram or TikTok account which won't be particularly helpful if you're trying to find his parents. She's likely going to need more than the kid's name alone. Google your own kid's name and see what you find.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually the other kids know though. OP doesn’t your kid know? If not, other kids definitely do.

Yeah you’re more likely to get it from kids than the school no matter how long you stay. But in the long run, I don’t see how you’re going to force someone to pay. There is so much he-said-he-said here and likely insufficient evidence to get you anywhere.

Oh I’d have already replaced the key and not being looking for reimbursement. I’d be looking for punishment, naming and shaming. F around and find out, like they say.

They have the perp on camera. I wouldn’t let it go. I wouldn’t make a scene in the school or anything but neither would I just let it be handled quietly and internally.

It’s not clear what all they have on camera. Per OP the investigation is continuing. Regardless, what is she going to do? Let the car sit for the next year or so until the lawsuit she files to collect a few hundred dollars (and costs her more than that in filing fees and time) winds it’s way through small claims court? Or hope for a criminal conviction and an order of restitution which will be years in the coming, if ever? It’s less than $200 to get your car rekeyed - had to have it done myself.

[Anonymous]

Oh I’d have already replaced the key and not being looking for reimbursement. I’d be looking for punishment, naming and shaming. F around and find out, like they say.

[Anonymous]

Do whatever is necessary to identify the thief, and then press charges. Let the parents know that unless they pay to have the car rekeyed, you will keep on pressing charges.

But expect to spend more than you get back, OP. This is just for the principal of the thing.

[Anonymous]

^ principle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get a lawyer.
The school know who caused harm against you and is not giving you the info. The school can either give up the name, or pay for the rekey and any other financial loss themselves.

This. Also make sure the police take fingerprints from the steering wheel. I would press criminal charges for theft of the car (even if they “returned it”) and also theft of the key. Make sure you get copies of the footage before it’s all erased.

[Anonymous]

I’d also call this bullying and harassment and complain all the way to the top (immediately go above the principals head) to have those students removed from school.

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand, he gave his key to one kid, and then another kid stole the fob, moved the car and put it back? It sounds like he lent out his car and is trying to cover now that you know and are mad.

The obvious solution here imo is that your kid takes the bus until he solves the key problem by getting it back or saving enough for a new one.