Young boy finds thousands of dollars at park

A Massachusetts boy returned $8,000 in cash he found on a Salem playground just moments after he struck it rich on the slide during a Saturday play date with his uncle. The Boston Herald reports that Danny and Aiden both took the money immediately to the police, who later found out that it belonged to Elias Santos, a hard-working contractor who had just been paid.

Wright says his nephew plans to use the reward money to buy coins.

The checkbook was turned into police around 11 a.m., according to Salem police Sergeant Kathleen Makros. Within an hour, a local man claimed the found item.

(Aiden wright/found money) “I just did today”.

While some would probably hesitate, Aiden and his uncle did not. He also told WBZ that he was surprised when police called.

Santos was playing with his kids in the park on payday when his earnings slipped out of his pocket.

“…and he fished in his pocket immediately and said, ‘I am missing $8,000”, Desmond said.

(Elias Santos, money owner) “I am so grateful, you know, because we don’t have people like this no more”.

To thank Aiden for his honesty Santos gave him $100.

(Paul burton/reporter) “Your being called a hero”.

“He’s been taught from day one to do the right thing. This shows the lessons had been learned and we are so proud”, says Ellen Wright, Aiden’s mother.

“Treat other people the way you want to be treated”, he told the TV station.