Girl Forced To Steal Charitable Donations

A couple allegedly lowered their 9-year-old daughter into a collection bin to steal donated clothes, then ran off and left the girl there when police arrived.

Two officers had to pull her out through the small opening.

Mario Palin, 38, and Martha Carrion, 40, of New York City, surrendered Wednesday to face charges that included petty larceny and endangering the welfare of a child. They allegedly stole clothing to resell it.

The girl is Carrion’s child and calls Palin her stepfather, police said.

Stealing from charity bins “was not something she wanted to do,” said Clarkstown Detective Frank Romano.

The couple had been sought since June 8, when police rescued the girl. In their apartment police found a room filled with racks of used clothes.

“It’s not like they are poor and need clothes on their backs,” Romano said. “This is not based on need. It’s based on greed.”