POLIC E

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DO N O N
OT C R OO
Who Kidnapped TS CS
RO POLICE
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T H E P R I N C I PA L ? PO
LIC
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You arrive at school to learn that your principal has been kidnapped! The following evidence and interviews have
E
been collected, and the superintendent is seeking the students’ help to infer what may have happened and who the LIN
culprit might be. Work with your team to create a possible explanation and suspect to present to the administration. E
DO
THE CRIME SCENE EVIDENCE COLLECTED INTERVIEWS
When the police entered the scene of
the crime, the principal’s office, they Emily Henry (victim’s wife)
observed the following: See Exhibits A - F Emily became worried when her husband did not arrive
home promptly at 5:30 which he does every single day.
- Both chairs were knocked over and She was asked if Mr. Henry had discussed any issues he
books had fallen off the shelf PRELIMINARY SUSPECTS was having at work. She said that he often came home
beside the desk. frustrated after meeting with his administrative partner.

- The office was visibly messy with
week old food (banana peels,
apple cores, dishes with dried food)
as well as papers scattered all over
his desk and floor that witnesses say
is the common state of this office.
EYE-WITNESS ACCOUNTS
Rhonda Moss states that when she left for
the day at 4:00pm to meet with the school
district, Mr. Henry was in his office. He was
meeting quickly with Bo who she stated
looked upset. Bo left the meeting to go to
his evening job at La Bonne Souper.
Sally Zhou said that after he confiscated
her school master keys, Mr. Henry left their
meeting at 4:30pm, he was grumbling to
Rex Jones about how schools value sports
more than education and that needs to
change. Rex left to go to the football
field for the game.
Nicole Petra (school secretary)
Nicole was asked if she noticed anything out of the
ordinary that day and she said that Mr. Henry had met
with Brent earlier in the day, and Brent came out of the
office crying.
Randy Murphy Rex Jones Sally Zhou
(custodian) (The Coach) (Student) Terry Craig (assistant football coach): He said that after
Brent had received the bad news from Mr. Henry, he
came to the field to vent his frustration. Brent, in terrible
anger, exclaimed that he would boycott all games now.
Terry was able to calm him down and convince him to
come to cheer his team on regardless. Terry confirmed
that he was there every game wearing blue and white.
Rhonda Moss Brent Fidela Bo Masters
(Vice-Principal) (School chef) George Franklin (head of the parent committee)
(Athlete)
George was asked if there were any parent interactions
that caused him concern. He had met with both Sally
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE and her mother regarding the decision about student
The crime is said to have taken place council and Brent and his father regarding his removal.
Both interactions became quite heated.
between 5:00 - 6:00pm.
Eric Holster (custodian): Eric stated that Randy
No forced entry indicated. The was planning to lodge a formal complaint with
criminal entered the crime scene (self- the working conditions department. Eric said that
locking office doors) using office keys. Randy spoke very poorly of Mr. Henry and often
muttered angry comments about how he wasn’t
going to put up with this much longer.
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 EXHIBIT A EXHIBIT B EXHIBIT C
Gary Richardson


 BRENT FIDELA

F
New ?
C oach
0 7
FIDELA
C+
D-
B

EXHIBIT D EXHIBIT E EXHIBIT F

My Suggested Cafeteria Menu
em - Bo
it
Shepherd’s Pie
C ut t his
Student
Disciplinary Meatloaf
School form
Caesar salad

Rhonda, why Chicken n’t

are t hese not A LA King Ki ds w o s
done yet> l ike t hi
Take care of Spaghetti .
t his. Or t his…

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Who Kidnapped T H E P R I N C I PA L ?
1. What can you infer 2. What can you infer about 3. Who do you think is the
about the victim? each of the suspects and their most likely culprit? What
relationship with the victim? evidence did you use to
come to this conclusion?

© Presto Plans
Who Kidnapped T H E P R I N C I PA L ? TEACHER ANSWER KEY

1. What can you infer
about the victim?
Possible answer: Mr Henry is an
authoritative principal. He
believes his ideas are the best
and doesn’t always take others
into consideration. He also
takes academics very seriously
and deals with behavioral issues
swiftly and with a heavy hand.
He has a hard time getting along
with others and often rubs
people the wrong way.
2. What can you infer about
each of the suspects and their
relationship with the victim?
Bo Masters: Bo is frustrated with Mr. Henry
as his menu suggestions were not valued.
He is an emotional person and perhaps
doesn’t make a lot of money at the
school as he has to work two jobs.
Brent Fidela: Brent is a star athlete, but he
is unable to play on the football team as
his grades are slipping. Rex Jones wants
him to keep playing, but Mr. Henry
refuses and takes his jersey. Brent is loyal
to his team, still cheering them on each
game.
3. Who do you think is the
most likely culprit? What
evidence did you use to
come to this conclusion?
The most likely culprit is Randy Murphy.
Let’s look at the other suspects’ alibis:
Bo Masters: Bo was at his second job at La
Bonne Souper during the time of the crime.
Brent Fidela: Brent was at the football game
during the time of the crime and likely does
not have keys to the office.
Rex Jones: Rex was at the football game
during the time of the crime.
Rhonda Moss: Rhonda was meeting with the
district during the time of the crime.

Rex Jones: Rex and Mr. Henry do not see eye to eye. Mr. Henry thinks that Rex Sally Zhou: Sally lost her school keys, so she
values sports over academics and, as a result, is seeking a new coach (which Rex wouldn’t have access to the office.
may or may not have known about).
As a result….
Rhonda Moss: Rhonda and Mr. Henry do not have a positive relationship. Rhonda is
frustrated as she is treated as a subordinate with very little respect. Randy had the motive (anger over the filthy
office he constantly had to clean), no alibi,
and you can infer that he has access to the
Sally Zhou: Sally was the student council president, but she lost the position because keys because he is custodian.
of a misbehavior which is out of character for her.

Randy Murphy: Randy is incredibly frustrated with Mr. Henry as he has to clean up his NOTE: THIS IS A SUGGESTED ANSWER KEY.
office which is in a constant state of filth. Randy is angry and ready to take action. STUDENTS MAY MAKE OTHER INFERENCES BASED
ON THEIR OWN BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE.

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