MIAMI COUNTY, Ind. -- A Miami County school is missing part of its food program after someone stole a steer from their property.
Maconaquah Middle School has a unique “Farm to School” program that allows students to help raise cattle, which will eventually be butchered and fed to the students and the community.
Last month, a steer went missing from its enclosure, and after two days of searching, police say Todd Burns admitted to stealing and selling the animal.
The steer had been donated by the Merritt Family.
Their daughter, Alexandra Merritt, has been a part of the program since it started.
“It was such a big accomplishment knowing I was one of the people that were there helping from the beginning. It made you feel good,” Merritt said.
Principal Craig Jarnagan says the theft of the steer didn’t just impact the students, but the entire community.
“We’re a tight-knit community. This program’s been supported by local people, grants and local farmers who donate grain and hay and a lot of different things. So yea, it hurts,” Jernagan said.
Burns is facing theft charges for stealing the cow.
The school still has eight other cows for the school to raise and Jernagan says they are working to make security improvements around the area they are kept.
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