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Woman who stole from special ed student is jailed
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More from CamarilloA woman was jailed Tuesday for stealing snack money from a special education student at Camarillo High School.
Ventura County Superior Court Judge James Cloninger sentenced Kristen Rene Santoyo, 37, of Oxnard to 180 days in jail and three years' felony probation. He described the theft from the disabled youngster as a "repulsive nature of conduct."
Cloninger said Santoyo, who was a school district employee, also must pay $285 as restitution to the victim, a freshman at the school.
The judge gave Santoyo credit for two days of jail time. After the sentencing, she was taken into custody.
Santoyo pleaded guilty Jan. 16 to felony petty theft and misdemeanor cruelty to a child by inflicting injury, according to court records.
The judge criticized letters of support for the defendant — letters that downplayed the theft, particularly one that called it "an unfortunate incident."
"This is predatory criminal conduct. It's not an unfortunate incident," the judge said.
Prosecutor Theresa Pollara said in an interview that the girl's parents would put $5 in her lunch pail along with her food. The money was for her to buy snacks to "supplement her lunch," Pollara said.
The girl's parents, Shawn and Tony Spitzer, became suspicious when their daughter came home from school very hungry and without the $5.
In court, Shawn Spitzer read a victim's impact statement and said their daughter was victimized by a "lying, conniving, thieving drug addict." Santoyo possessed a glass smoking pipe when she was arrested Nov. 16, authorities said.
"She needs to be held fully accountable for her actions," Spitzer told the judge.
Attorney James Harmon, who works at the Public Defender's Office, told the judge it was difficult for him to represent someone who has committed an "indefensible crime." He noted that his wife works with special education youngsters.
However, Harmon said, the theft did not happen every school day. It happened only on some school days, over a period of 57 school days.
"She didn't take the money every day," Harmon said, adding that his client was a reliable and caring employee until she got hooked on drugs.
"I think this is a very vivid example of what drug use, especially methamphetamine, can have on people," Harmon told the judge. "She will never be able to get a job at a school district again."
He noted that she has tested clean for drugs since November.
Pollara told the judge that Santoyo has a 2001 conviction for stealing from an employer, involving a number of transactions.
Pollara said the defendant had learned nothing from the earlier conviction "except, maybe, how to pick a better victim. So it's getting worse," Pollara said.
"She has taken the same (past) crime and perfected it" by finding a vulnerable victim, the prosecutor said.
The Spitzers' lawyer, Christina Stokholm, said she didn't know yet whether the family would sue the Oxnard Union High School District or Santoyo.
Posted by keepermel on March 5, 2008 at 4:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"He noted that she has tested clean for drugs since November.".....then what was she doing with the glass pipe? Sounds like maybe she learned how to get around those tests as well. How this woman ever got a job at the school district is beyond me.
Posted by CloudyDaze on March 5, 2008 at 5:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This person has no shame. How can the district hire someone to work with kids with a criminal record? Shame on her and the District. Both did not have the children's interest as a top priority. The Spitzers should sue. The district's negligence is astonishing. Santoyo's heartlessness is equally offensive.
Posted by ebrockway on March 5, 2008 at 6:46 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They should sue? Why is that the first thing to pop into your head? You pay taxes? The money comes out of your pocket! Donate to them if you want, but I'd like to see my school tax money going for books and teachers, not lawyers!
The evil person who stole the kid's money should spend more time in jail.
Posted by ebrockway on March 5, 2008 at 8:31 a.m.
(This thread was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by interested on March 5, 2008 at 11:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
SHE ALSO STOLE FROM MERVYNS.
Posted by ironwoman on March 5, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How does a school district hire someone like this in the first place? I can't imagine how many others out there who don't deserve to be in the position they are in, especially working with children. The Dept. of Education needs to have thorough background investigations. If someone has a rap sheet, they shouldn't be a teacher or work in a school.
Posted by devilangelhawk on March 5, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And that gives you your answer as to why people who need jobs (are clean, deserving, hard working) have no jobs to chose from. All teh addicts are taking them...
Posted by rollingcode on March 5, 2008 at 10:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
figures it happened at Cam high.
Posted by AnnaWhaat on March 6, 2008 at 9 a.m. (Suggest removal)
She has tested clean since November for drugs????WHAT? She had a glass pipe and the article states she was on meth.
Well lets see she was only 5' and she wieghs 240 pounds !!!! So it doesn't sound like she was on meth and maybe just stealing the money to eat !!!!
She is a disgrace and hopefully will serve jail time. Her career is ruined........
Posted by CALA on March 7, 2008 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I had read elsewhere that she had been with the school district for 11 years. She was convicted after she was already employed with the school district and that she possibly served her time during school breaks (winter/spring/summer). The school district only does background checks before someone is hired.
Maybe they should do follow checks during time of employment.
Posted by rollingcode on March 7, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I like yours better MrCamarillo. :)
Posted by eguzie on March 13, 2008 at 9:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
well, this is a stupid way to go to jail...steeling $5. HA! that sux
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