BISMARCK, N.D. (Reuters) - As part of a program aimed at cracking down on youthful offenders, a 7-year-old North Dakota boy faced a criminal theft charge after police cited him for stealing $6 from his mother, police said on Wednesday.
According to police, the Bismarck mother discovered $6 missing from a pile of cash she had left lying on the counter in her kitchen over the weekend. When she questioned her two sons about the missing bills, the 7-year-old admitted taking the money.
``She called the police, she wanted him cited for theft, so that is what we did,'' said Bismarck police Lt. Nick Sevart.
Upon questioning, the boy said he took the money because he wanted to buy a ``Beanie Baby'' toy, Sevart said.
The boy was issued a criminal citation for theft and released to his mother's custody. The matter now heads to juvenile court, where youth counselors will become involved in working out an acceptable punishment, Sevart said.
``The reason we determine consequences is to help them avoid this type of trouble in the future,'' he said. ``We believe in early intervention.''
According to police, the Bismarck mother discovered $6 missing from a pile of cash she had left lying on the counter in her kitchen over the weekend. When she questioned her two sons about the missing bills, the 7-year-old admitted taking the money.
``She called the police, she wanted him cited for theft, so that is what we did,'' said Bismarck police Lt. Nick Sevart.
Upon questioning, the boy said he took the money because he wanted to buy a ``Beanie Baby'' toy, Sevart said.
The boy was issued a criminal citation for theft and released to his mother's custody. The matter now heads to juvenile court, where youth counselors will become involved in working out an acceptable punishment, Sevart said.
``The reason we determine consequences is to help them avoid this type of trouble in the future,'' he said. ``We believe in early intervention.''
