FamFRANKENMUTH, Mich. — A family’s annual holiday trip to Frankenmuth took a heartbreaking turn after their car was broken into, resulting in the theft of several items, including a deeply sentimental possession: the cremated remains of a loved one.
The family, who visits Splash Village and Bronner's in Frankenmuth every Christmas, was staying at the Frankenmuth Hotel when they discovered the break-in. Among the stolen items was a black rectangular box resembling a thick book, containing the ashes of the woman's brother-in-law.
“We’re not worried about the material things that were taken,” she said. “We just want his ashes returned. They meant so much to us.”
The ashes, stored in a stationary spot under the vehicle’s passenger seat, were a source of comfort to the family. “It may sound unusual, but bringing him with us on trips felt like keeping him close,” she explained. “We never imagined they would be stolen.”
The family is appealing to the public—and to the individual responsible—for the safe return of the remains. They emphasized that they are not interested in pressing charges.
“If you find the box or realize what you’ve taken, please return it. You can leave it at Splash Village, the police station, or contact us directly. No questions will be asked,” she said.
The family has also offered a $1,000 reward for the safe return of the ashes. They have contacted local authorities, who are actively investigating the incident. The community has rallied behind the family, with social media users sharing the story in the hope that it will lead to the remains’ recovery.
Despite the incident, the family holds no ill will toward the Frankenmuth community. “This hasn’t changed our love for this town,” she said. “We come every year with our kids and grandkids because of the wonderful people and traditions here.”
Anyone with information is urged to contact the family directly, the Frankenmuth Police Department, or the reporter covering the story.
“We just want to bring him back home,” the family said. “That’s all that matters.”
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The U.S. Department of Justice is threatening legal action against Ann Arbor Public Schools unless the district changes policies that federal officials say violate parents’ rights under federal education privacy laws.
In a letter dated Sunday, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said the district has 14 days to address what it described as “substantial noncompliance” with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, known as FERPA, and the Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment, or PPRA.
The dispute centers on Ann Arbor Public Schools’ Policy 5011, which addresses transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
According to the Justice Department, the U.S. Department of Education first raised concerns about the policy in July, arguing that it did not provide parents with full access to their children’s education records.
The Ann Arbor Board of Education amended the policy Aug. 26. However, federal officials said the revisions did not substantially change the policy. The Justice Department cited comments made by board members during the meeting as evidence that the changes were intended largely to clarify the policy rather than alter its effect.
The Department of Education determined Aug. 31 that the district remained out of substantial compliance with FERPA and PPRA and authorized the Justice Department to begin enforcement measures, according to the letter.
Federal officials are demanding that the district rescind Policy 5011 or revise it to comply with federal law.
Among the requested changes, the Justice Department wants the district to remove language directing school personnel to privately consult with students about requested names and pronouns. It also wants the district to obtain prior written parental consent before requiring minors to answer questions involving information protected under PPRA.
The federal government is also demanding that parents be given an opportunity to challenge, correct or seek deletion of information in their children’s education records that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. The letter specifically references records involving changes to a student’s name or gender markers and reports concerning a student’s legal name or gender.
The Justice Department also directed the district to review its policies and practices to ensure parents can inspect their children’s education records and exercise their rights under federal law.
If the district does not comply within the 14-day deadline, the Justice Department said the federal government could file a civil lawsuit and take other enforcement action related to conditions attached to federal education funding.
“This letter constitutes a formal demand and a final opportunity to cure before litigation is initiated,” the Justice Department wrote.
The letter was signed by Harmeet K. Dhillon, assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
The documents provided do not include a response from Ann Arbor Public Schools to the latest Justice Department demand.
