The family of a 10-year-old girl who made more than $2,000 selling chickens said the bank was holding her hard-earned money hostage.
Kinley Maner of Thatcher, Arizona, about three hours from Phoenix, started selling chickens she helped raise a year ago at the Graham County Fair.
Her parents, JR and Kalli, said their daughter really enjoyed the hobby, so much so that she decided to exhibit and then auction the animals at the fair.
The girl ended up receiving $2,103 for six of her chickens and the Small Stock Association treasurer issued her an electronically deposited check.
The huge amount of money was placed in her mother’s Chase Bank account, but the next day, the account was closed and Kinley’s check was frozen.
The girl’s mother frantically called the bank for hours to see what this was about, as the company told her the check had been flagged as suspicious because a phone number for the association was out of service.
Kinley Maner of Thatcher, Arizona, won $2,103 at the Graham County Fair last year after auctioning off six chickens she raised.
The next day, her mother’s Chase bank account was closed and the check was frozen, as the company told the girl’s parents (pictured) that they suspected it was suspicious.
“His final response is, I’m sorry, Kinley won’t get his money back,” JR said. KFO.
“And there’s nothing we can do unless we can verify that control,” he added.
In addition to Kinley’s mother calling 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 phone number,” the mother told the outlet.
Kinley said he decided to start raising and selling chickens because he thought it would be fun.
“I thought it would be fun, because when they’re little, they’re really cute,” she said.
The joy of the hobby quickly diminished when the bank continued to deny him the money.
Kinley said he decided to start raising and selling chickens because he thought it would be fun, but was disappointed to find out he couldn’t get his prize.
“I was a little upset because I deserved that money and it was supposed to be mine,” the young businessman said.
Her father said he and his wife believe their daughter “deserves to receive the money she rightfully earned.”
She added that thanks to her work with chickens, her daughter has learned a lot about ‘strict obedience’ and how to care for an animal.
After a grueling year-long battle, the bank finally decided to award Kinley the money after KPHO’s On Your Side team contacted Chase.
A few hours later, the bank quickly apologized and issued the $2,103 to Kinley overnight.
“I was surprised when I received it, but I was also excited,” he recalled.
His father said this wouldn’t have been possible if the outlet hadn’t gotten involved.
His father said Kinley (middle) learned a lot about animal care and “strict obedience” through his hobby.
After a year-long battle, the bank finally decided to send a check the next day in Kinley’s name.
“If we hadn’t contacted you, it was pretty much a dead end,” JR said.
“I don’t think they would have refunded our money and I know Kinley is very happy about that.”
Since winning the grand prize, Kinley has finished another big sale at another county fair.
This time, the young woman won just over $1,500 for her chickens.
Kinley said he plans to save most of the money for college and the rest could go toward something fun.