Law enforcement officials are looking for an Albuquerque Pee Wee football coach who has not been seen since being handed $2,000 raised by parents for the team.
The money was collected through various fundraisers and donations, according to KOB 4. It was intended to be spent on new uniforms and other gear for the children. But, head coach Allen Baldwin has not been seen or heard from since the parents gave him the money in May. He is now accused of stealing the money.
“That was like $2,000 in cookie dough alone,” Miranda Buffet told KOB 4. Her seven-year-old son is on the team. “It’s concerning. My son asked me too, ‘Why did this happen? What is going to happen now?'”
The parents had raised money since late March and were excited to give Baldwin the money at a team practice, KOB 4 reported. But, Baldwin didn’t show up for the game the next day. Calls to his cell phone were not answered.
“He was not at practice on Monday, so I think that’s when everybody truly realized he was gone,” Buffet said.
Buffet filed a report with the Albuquerque Police Department about Baldwin, and they are investigating. Buffet has little hope that they will get the money back and she is looking into ways to repay what was stolen.
An official from the New Mexico Young American Football League (YAFL) told KOB 4 that Baldwin passed a background check before becoming a coach. The YAFL also tried to contact Baldwin, without success.
