PHOENIX — Parents from around the country were rallying behind a single mother whose 7-year-old autistic son mistakenly emptied her bank account just before Christmas through Roblox purchases.
Kayla Howard spoke to 12News in Phoenix a week before Christmas and is now seeing the community come together in support. Her son who has autism was playing on the gaming application Roblox and spent $897, emptying her bank account which then incurred overdraft fees. She was soon left in the red by over $1,000.
The woman who works two jobs to support her four children, three of whom have autism.
Howard then created a GoFundMe page, setting the goal to $1,244. Soon, fellow single moms, parents of children with autism and others began rallying around her and contributing to her page.
“I set the goal to $1,244 and that’s because that’s how negative my account was,” she said.
Although the goal was quickly met, but the contributions continued to pour in.
“The last time I checked it was at $10,979 dollars!” Howard said. “Ten times the goal.”
Howard was later able to buy a Christmas tree which she and her children decorated. She also was able to surprise them with gifts.
She now aims to pay it forward.
“What I’m most excited about doing is actually starting a non-profit named after my daughter specifically to help families of children with autism,” she said.
Roblox has since given her a full refund and with the support of many parents from around the country, she’s heading into the new year with hope.
“Thank you to everyone who supported myself and my children during this time. Thank you for reminding me that there are good people in this world,” Howard said.
Meanwhile, she has also made changes to the Roblox apps on her children’s devices including changing the payment method.
Roblox has also recommended that parents can also set monthly spending limits on the app.
