https://www.knoxtntoday.com/locked-up-16-year-old-jailed-after-manhunt/?fbclid=IwAR1KwqGWBjxYcEAkz_nM87t_7RfD7HHjKbJZtp9eW3YnakVcmADi36cGSBQ 

Hello South Knoxville community, South-Doyle students and alumni, and all other supporters!

Last week, a 16 year old student at South Doyle was caught smoking a joint, and was arrested. In a panic, he ran away, and the police immediately began an outrageously excessive (and expensive, taxpayers) manhunt for this child. They sent a fleet of dogs, officers,  cruisers, and a search helicopter for hours. The school was put on “soft lockdown,” interrupting and inhibiting the education of the entire student body. (I included the link to the story.)

Regardless of your opinion on marijuana use, the Sheriff’s reaction was absolutely unjustified. Involving the police at all for a child who committed a non-violent offense in the first place was ridiculous. I recall several students being caught with marijuana during my time at South-Doyle, and the repercussions were always limited to confiscation and a 3-day suspension.

Right now, this *non-violent* teen is being held in jail, and he cannot be released because his family recently lost their home due to the financial strain of the COVID-19 pandemic, so there is nowhere for him to be released to.

The goal of this fundraiser is to help secure his family with adequate housing as quickly as possible and release the student from jail to return to his family immediately.

I am not yet aware of any other fundraisers started by the family, but if there are, all the funds from this will be transferred directly to them. Please share this with all your fellow South-Doyle alumni and South Knox community! Thank you.