quote:

---

HAMILTON, N.J. — A group of teenagers found several thousand dollars hidden inside the walls of a vacant home and gave some of it away before authorities learned of their discovery.


The youths said they found the money while looking for a rumored "secret passage" at the home of Annie Rue, who was 90 when she died nearly two years ago. It was unclear as to when the money was found, and authorities would not say how much money has been recovered.

The money was in several envelopes stuffed inside two plastic baggies near the home's kitchen, the youths said. Sean Dekis, 13, said the envelopes were filled with various amounts of cash.

"We started shouting, 'Money! Money!' and throwing it everywhere," Dekis told The Trentonian of Trenton.

Each youth then took a share and left the home, planning to keep their discovery a secret. However, word of their discovery soon got out and, the following day, one youth began handing out $100 bills to fellow students at the Grice Middle School.

One student showed the money to a teacher, who alerted police.

Authorities said they assume the money belonged to Rue, but they are investigating where it came from. They said the youths will not face any charges in the incident.

---