That's Just Wrong: Bounced State Check

WSVN -- At 18...Christina palmer is a full-time student...And a full-time mom.

Christina Palmer: "This is my darling angel at her birth. This is her as a newborn. Alicia Herrard."

For Christina, there was no debate whether or not to keep her baby.

Christina Palmer: "Well, I don't believe in abortions and ya know, I made my bed so I had to lay in it."

At the time, christina was fifteen. Her mother couldn't deal with a pregnant daughter. So she put christina in foster care.

Christina Palmer: "I was in foster care for about three years."

But now, hristina and Alicia are on their own thanks to a state run program where former foster children get a monthly check from the state.

Christina Palmer: "It's a scholarship. Go to school full-time and you maintain a certain grade."

With her first check, Christina got her own apartment, paid her other bills, and was doing great... Until.

Christina Palmer: "I wrote a check to my landlord for my rent and I went to go check out my account and it said it was an overdraft."

The state check bounced.

Christina Palmer: It's really overwhelming that I would have to go through this and being that it is a state check. It's unbelievable that it wouldn't clear."

So unbelievable Christina says the money mixup is just wrong. Her first instinct - call the program's advisor.

Christina Palmer: "She told me that she couldn't replace the money that the bank took from me and I want her to reissue a check that they already owe me and she wouldn't do that."

And that's when she decided to call 7 News. We contacted the department of children and family, they told us they could not discuss any specific cases. They also told us - the check's issued in the independent living program are called "state issued warrants" which are just like cash. So the check could not have bounced. But according to christina, our call also pressured the state to see what happened to her check. And after it investigated, it found the bank made the mistake. Christina now has her money and is working out a budget to make sure she has the cash to cover her future expenses.

Christina Palmer: "It's supposed to pay for your rent. Basically all your living needs."

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