A Rhode Island school is reportedly seeking donations from staff to assist a child trafficked into the country by human smugglers.
On Thursday, the Assistant Principal at Mount Pleasant High School sent an email to all faculty and staff alleging a trafficked student required payment of $5,000 by Feb. 1.
"We have a student who came to America with 'Coyote,' which is a group that helps people," wrote Assistant Principal Stefani Harvey. "This group gives you a time frame to make a payment of $5,000 dollars to those who bring them into the states."
"Our student needs our urgent support to raise another $2,000 to meet his goal of $5,000 by February 1st, 2023," the email continued. "Please [consider] helping if you can by donating on Friday.”
The principal of Mount Pleasant High School followed up Harvey's email suggesting the request was "not appropriate."
"I was informed there was an email seeking financial support for one of our students," wrote Principal Tiffany Delaney. "I appreciate the faculty and staff contributing to a cause that supports a student, but the nature of the request is not appropriate."
"All funds contributed will be returned and we will seek more appropriate methods to support our students."
"I can confirm that the email in question was sent to staff at Mount Pleasant High School," wrote Providence Public School District's Chief Communications Officer, Nick Domings, per Parents Defending Education.
"The school's principal took steps to have a retraction issued when she learned of the email. The Providence Public School District is not investigating."
President of the Providence Teacher's Union Maribeth Calabro corroborated the email in an interview with local radio host Matt Allen.
"I was a little taken aback by the contents and fully and completely understanding of your reaction," Calabro told Allen. "I engaged the district. I called leadership in the district."
Calabro confirmed the school learned the email was legitimate shortly after leading to Principal Delaney's Friday response.
A Twitter profile allegedly belonging to Assistant Principal Harvey reads "black educator, queer, activist."
"Dismantle school to prison pipeline, I hear you, speak your truth," the profile continues.
It is unconfirmed if the profile in question belongs to the assistant principal.
Timcast News reached out to Mount Pleasant High School for comment.
