$20K in Taylor 12-year-old's backpack

TAYLOR, Mich. (WOOD) - A Detroit-area 12-year-old girl showed up to school with $20,000 in cash in her backpack and handed some of the money out to her classmates.

WDIV reports the Sixth Grade Academy student brought the money, which was in bills as large as $100, to school Monday.

The cash was discovered by school officials after the girl started giving it to other students. Taylor Police Chief Mary Sclabassi told WDIV that some students received as much as $500.

"Had word gotten out to maybe someone other than some other 12-year-olds, it could have put her in a dangerous position," Sclabassi said.

Authorities are talking with the girl's family, who is being cooperative, and working to learn the origin of the money and how it ended up in the girl's backpack, WDIV reported.

The cash and backpack are in the possession of the police department until the investigation is complete.

Teresa D. Winnie, the assistant superintendent for the Taylor School District, released this statement:

"The situation that took place at the Sixth Grade Academy Building was truly an unusual one. We do not have a specific protocol for this type of situation. There was no threat to the student body in the building and the matter is currently in the hands of the Taylor Police Department."