When I was in Jr. High, I found a cash box in a field near my house. The combination lock was broken, it was open and there were many documents like deeds and passports etc., no cash. I collected the documents strewn around along with the box and took them home. I gave the items to my mother so she could contact the owners.
Apparently, their home had been broken into and there were quite a few things stolen. I had thought they would be thankful to have some of these important documents returned, but they accused me of breaking into their home and stealing these items. My mother was very upset at the idea that they could even consider me as a suspect. The police even interviewed me.
It’s nice to see this college student doing the right thing, but it could have gone the other way too.
I frankly would be scared to turn in found money, or drugs, or similar, for fear of being accused like InShanghai was.
Thinking further, this student had good provenance about where she found it - it was a public act, finding it at the thrift shop, and she may have even had a receipt. So she was probably safe.
But if I just “found” it, like in a tree stump or by the side of the road? I have kids. I don’t want to be accused of being a drug dealer or something. It appears we are presumed guilty unless proven innocent in those type cases.
Finally the person who actually committed the crime confessed, she broke down and admitted what she had done to her mother.
Otherwise I was tried, convicted and just about sentenced in public opinion. After wards it was just forgotten ( as in it never happened ) or people who pointed the finger claimed “ well, I didn't really think you did it “.
Yeah, thanks. Still makes me mad to this day. I think I was 15 at the time.