MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) – A 13-year-old Memphis girl learned quite a lesson, “Don't steal from your family.” Her mom made sure plenty of people saw what she did. If you happened to drive by the intersection of Poplar and Highland on Sunday February 12, 2012 you did to.
One thing's for sure it’s a day and a lesson 13-year-old Natia Wade will never forget.
"My niece for the past couple of years, quite honestly has been kind of taking things. It hasn't been anything big, but it never really has to be,” her aunt Lauren Scales told abc24.com.
The last straw for her aunt and the youngster's mother was when the 13-year-old stole her mom's debt card to reactivate a cell phone that was cut off as a punishment.
“That's why she's out here, because she apparently has not learned her lesson,” said Scales.
The sign said it all, “I steal from my family." For her part, Natia told abc24.com she didn't realize what she did was such a big deal.
“I didn't think it made any sense, so I just wanted my phone back,” said Wade.
Now not only has she lost the phone, but she had to endure a bit of embarrassment. Her aunt told abc24.com she hopes the message gets through.
“She didn't want to, she really didn't want to and I really didn't want to. Don't get me wrong because you never want to put your child in this situation because they're fragile, but with all of the things that are going on with kids stealing things and all the crime being committed in Memphis, she will not be one of them,” Scales told abc24.com
