School aide stole lunch money from student with autism
March 5th, 2008From the Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Star:
A teacher’s aide from a high school north of Los Angeles was sentenced to six months in jail for stealing lunch money from a student with autism. After the parents became suspicious, a hidden camera revealed that Kristen Rene Santoyo was stealing money from the girl’s backpack at Camarillo High School. She was charged with taking money on 57 separate occasions. The student, who has autism, does not speak.
Shawn Spitzer, the student’s mother, criticized the hiring practices of the Oxnard Union High School District and said the district was not adequately protecting students.


