The family of a 10-year-old girl who made more than $2,000 selling chickens said the bank held her hard earned money hostage.
Kinley Maner from Thatcher, Arizona – about three hours outside of Phoenix – started selling chickens that she helped raise a year ago at the Graham County Fair.
Her parents, J.R. and Kalli said their daughter has thoroughly enjoyed the hobby, so much so that she decided to showcase and later auction the animals at the fair.
The little girl ended up receiving $2,103 for six of her chickens, and was issued an electronically deposited check from the treasurer of the Small Stock Association.
The whopping amount of money was placed in her mother’s Chase Bank account, but the following day, the account was closed and Kinley’s check was frozen.
The girl’s mother frantically called the bank for hours to see why this was, as the company told her they flagged the check as suspicious because a phone number for the association was out of service.
Kinley Maner from Thatcher, Arizona, won $2,103 at the Graham County Fair last year after auction off six chickens that she raised
The following day, the her mother’s Chase bank account closed and the check was frozen, as the company told the girl’s parents (pictured) they suspected it was suspicious
‘Their ultimate response is that, sorry, Kinley is not going to get her money back,’ J.R. told KPHO.
‘And there’s nothing we can do unless we can verify that check,’ he added.
Along with Kinley’s mother phoning the bank about the mishap, the man who wrote the check also went there three times to explain that the money was legitimate.
‘And they said the only way to verify it is through that number on the phone,’ the mother told the outlet.
Kinley said that she decided to start raising and selling chickens because she thought it would be enjoyable.
‘I just thought that it would be fun, because when they’re little, they’re so cute,’ she said.
The joy of the hobby quickly dwindled as the bank continued to deny her the money.
Kinley said that she decided to start raising and selling chickens because she thought it would be enjoyable, but she was disappointed to find out she couldn’t get her prize
‘I was a little bit upset because I deserved that money, and it was supposed to be mine,’ the young entrepreneur said.
Her father said that he and his wife believe their daughter ‘deserves to get the money that she rightfully earned.’
He added that because of her work with chickens, his daughter has learned a lot about ‘strict obedience’ and how to take care of an animal.
After a grueling year-long battle, the bank finally decided to grant the money to Kinley after KPHO’s On Your Side team contacted the Chase.
A few hours later, the bank swiftly apologized and issued the $2,103 to Kinley overnight.
‘I was surprised when I got it, but I also was excited,’ she recalled.
Her father said that this wouldn’t have been possible if the outlet hadn’t gotten involved.
Her father said that he Kinley (middle) has learned a lot about taking care of animals and ‘strict obedience’ through her hobby
After a year-long battle, the bank finally decided to overnight a check to Kinley
‘If we wouldn’t have contacted you guys, it was pretty much a dead end,’ J.R. said.
‘I don’t think we would’ve got the money back, and I know Kinley is very happy about it.’
Since winning the grand prize, Kinley has gone on to finish another large sale at another county fair.
This time around, the young girl made a little more than $1,500 for her chickens.
Kinley said she plans to save most of the money for college, and the rest might go toward something fun.
