We got a call from the Delphos Jefferson principal today and just when the students thought things could go back to normal, they have to deal with something completely different, the theft of their stuff.
The company hired for the senior trip to New York was Childers Transportation out of Toledo. They were tasked with retrieving the students' belongings after a Monday crash on Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania sent them to the hospital. At 1 pm Wednesday when the students got their property, they found almost all of them were missing hundreds of dollars.
"As the kids start to go through their stuff they realize not only were blankets and pillows missing but cash, watches," said Principal Chad Brinkman. "But when the next person and the next person realize money was gone, we realize they were ripped off, stolen from."
Brinkman said he has filed a complaint with the state police against Childers. He said what he knows is that the towing company that impounded the bus, Don’s Towing, had surveillance on the bus at all times. He said the property must have gone missing between the time Childers picked it all up and when it was dropped off.
Jenna Lambert was the first to check her belongings and soon after, students found more than money was missing.
"You could tell that someone was going through my purse," Lambert said. "My sunglasses were missing too. I just opened the wallet and nothing was left but a quarter I think."
"Another girl had two bras and lotion stolen," Marissa Sheeter said, another senior involved in the bus crash. "Another girl had her bra and money stolen. A girl had her raspberry tea stolen."
"Really, it’s just ridiculous these people obviously know the situation, they know the wreck and they had the couth to take everyone’s belongings which is beyond me," said senior Tyler Gorman.
We reached out to Childers for a comment about the allegations and they were advised by their insurance company not to talk to the media.
