Lawn for field in honor of the 10-year-old never arrived
A Christian school in Cobb County was apparently defrauded of more than $100,000. Officials at North Cobb Christian School say they purchased the turf for a new project they never received.
COBB COUNTY, Georgia. – A Christian school in Atlanta was apparently defrauded of more than $100,000. Officials at North Cobb Christian School say they purchased turf for a new sports complex but never received it.
The finishing touches are currently being put on the school’s new softball and baseball complex.
“A nice little facility for the girls with locker rooms, training cages, public restrooms, everything. It will also serve as a baseball field for our middle school,” said Todd Clingman, the school’s principal.
Planning for the project has been underway for some time.
“We got all the financing together, broke ground and started preparing for the groundbreaking,” Clingman said.
The lawn was supposed to arrive in June. But that never happened.
Clingman says they paid a woman named Tracey Leann Morton $106,000 for turf.
“We communicated with her, but didn’t get a response. We started to feel a bit weird. And then when it came time to put it all together, of course there was no common goal,” Clingman said.
There is now an arrest warrant out for Morton for theft.
“What happened was wrong and must be righted,” Clingman said.
Walker Phillips (Included in delivery)
This project has special meaning for the entire school community. The field is dedicated to the life of Walker Phillips. Walker was a fourth-grader who died in a house fire two years ago. He has a brother and sister who attend North Cobb Christian School.
“It has shaken our community in so many different ways. We wanted to honor this family specifically with this field,” Clingman said.
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The school had to rush to find turf and lay it quickly.
Just over a week before the first game, the pitch was almost ready.
In honor of 10-year-old Walker Phillips, a number 2 was placed in the center of the baseball field at North Cobb Christian School. (FOX 5)
In the middle is the number “2.” That was Walker’s number.
In front of the home team’s bench is the sign “Live Like Walker”.
“What happened was not right and must be made right financially. But that will not diminish our enthusiasm and commitment to honor Walker and the Phillips family as he deserves,” Clingman said.
