Teenager who received donated kidney jailed

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- A teenage boy who received a transplanted kidney from his science teacher has been jailed for allegedly trying to steal a forklift.

Michael Carter, 17, was arrested Sunday, police said. His mother, Deborah Evans, said she won't post his $50,000 bail.

"I can't take that chance," Evans said. "I have four other kids, and I can't afford to lose my house."

Sgt. Alex Thompson, a police spokesman, said an employee of Fayetteville Block Materials saw Carter and another teenager on the $40,000 forklift and turned them in to police.

In April 2000, Jane Smith, then a teacher at R. Max Abbott Middle School, donated a kidney to Carter, who was born with renal disease. Carter was a student in Smith's science class.

Smith received the National Kidney Foundation's Gift of Life medal and the state's Order of the Long Leaf Pine award. Evans said she hasn't spoken with Smith.

"I can imagine how she would feel," she said. "Just imagine."