7-year-old wins $100,000

ST. LOUIS -- When Morgan Truax left a McDonald's in Brynes Mill last week, the 7-year-old took home more than a Happy Meal.

Her prize inside was $100,000.

The first-grader at Hillsboro Primary Elementary was one of the youngest winners in McDonald's 2001 $10 Million Instant Giveaway, the promotion created by the company to restore confidence in it's sweepstakes promotions.

Morgan was eating breakfast with her mother and grandparents before heading off to horseback riding lessons when told she had won.

Five $1 million winners and 50 $100,000 winners like Morgan were selected over the Labor Day weekend. The restaurant used specific criteria to identify winners in the stores and at the drive-thru window at randomly selected restaurants.

McDonald's announced the promotion in the wake of an FBI investigation revealed last month.