Indiana playground vandalized day before school starts

Aug. 19, 2010
Playground equipment destroyed, feces smeared on school windows

GREENWOOD, Ind. --

Authorities are searching for vandals who caused serious damage to an elementary school playground a day before students go back to class.

A piece of playground equipment was destroyed and feces was smeared on windows at Sugar Grove Elementary School sometime late Sunday or early Monday, Principal Patti Duckworth told 6News' Joanna Massee .

Students are scheduled to return to class there on Tuesday.

Duckworth said the school has dealt with vandalism in months past, but nothing like the most recent damage.

Neighbors said they saw flames at the playground just after 2:30 a.m. Monday.

"We just saw massive flames that are probably close to anywhere from five-feet to eight-feet tall just, you know, engulfing the whole area," Greg Werner said. "I think it's sad that kids think that that's OK to do."

Some students were also upset to see the barren playground on Monday.

"It's really kind of sad because all my friends who I used to go here with, we really had so much fun on it," said 6-year-old Ben Boushehry.

"I just feel sad because I like that playground, it's one of my favorites," said 11-year-old Emily Minor.

Duckworth said the school takes the incident very seriously because of the arson involved, and she said classes will go on as planned.

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