Wednesday, June 23, 1999

Donations, notoriety grow after robbery of 9-year-old

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$600 contributed; TV shows interest

BY STEVE KEMME
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Aaron Faughn got a visit from the Kool-Aid Man last week. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

        LIBERTY TOWNSHIP — A $6 lemonade stand robbery has brought the stand's 9-year-old owner a financial windfall.

        Aaron Faughn has received more than $600 in donations from businesses and individuals who were incensed that the boy was robbed while selling 25-cent cups of lemonade and Kool-Aid in front of his Liberty Township home.

        Aaron's mother, Debbie Faughn, said he plans to share the money with two friends who operate the lemonade stand with him, but who weren't there when the robbery occurred.

        “It's truly wonderful to know that the public has been so positive and supportive,” said his father, Dennis Faughn, who lives in Enon, a commu nity east of Dayton. “People have been so giving.”

        “It's been unbelievable,” Mrs. Faughn said. “This has taught us that there's more good in the world than bad.”

        Aaron and his friends, Billy Holger and Jamie Curtin, were selling the drinks to earn enough money to buy Pokemon trading cards, modeled after a popular Japanese video game.

        Besides donations from well-wishers, Aaron also has received national publicity. The Tonight Show is interested in having him as a guest. Mrs. Faughn said she received a telephone call last week from a Tonight Show staff member asking about the case.

        “Aaron hasn't gotten a big head,” she said. “He just wants to play baseball and do the things he normally does.”

        A court hearing for the two teen-age boys accused of stealing $6 from him June 10 was supposed to occur Tuesday, but was postponed until next Tuesday.

        “I hope I don't have to come here again,” Aaron said before the postponement was announced.

        One suspect, 17, is being held at the Butler County Juvenile Detention Center because of a probation violation, said Rob Clevenger, director of juvenile court. The other suspect, 16, is under house arrest.

        Mrs. Faughn, a nurse at University Hospital, said she hopes the boys who robbed her son are made to perform community service.

        “I don't want vengeance,” she said. “I would like (them) to know the turmoil and hurt they've caused. I hope they really learn a lesson from this.”

       

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