Teen Returns $9,333 Found in Restaurant Bathroom, Gets $500 Reward

Jaydon Cintron found two bank envelopes containing $9,333 in cash in a Chick-fil-A restroom and immediately turned them over to management.

The 18-year-old employee received a $500 reward from the grateful owner after initially refusing any payment.

On April 3, Cintron discovered the envelopes at the Kinston, North Carolina location where he works. One envelope was labeled "First Citizens Bank" with $5,000 inside, and another labeled "Truist Bank" contained $4,333.

His first thought was "Okay, no, this isn't happening," he told NBC affiliate WITN.

Faith Guided His Decision

Instead of keeping the money, Cintron "picked it up and brought it to human resources."

When asked why he didn't keep the money, Cintron stated "that's not what Jesus would have done. That's not what God would have wanted" and added "Money is useless without character."

Chick-fil-A reviewed security video to identify the money's owner but was unable to locate them through the footage.

Owner Insists on Reward

The rightful owner eventually retrieved the envelopes and offered Cintron a $500 reward for his honesty.

The teen initially refused, saying he didn't expect anything in return for doing what he believed was right, but eventually accepted after multiple attempts by the owner to insist.

Kinston Police Chief Keith Goyette praised the employee's decision, noting "A lot of people will unfortunately take that money and run with it. Kudos to that employee at Chick-fil-A. He definitely deserves a reward."

Values in Action

John McPhaul, the owner-operator of the Kinston Chick-fil-A, said "Acts like this reflect the values our restaurants aim to uphold each day, and we're proud to see that lived out here at Chick-fil-A Kinston."

Cintron explained his motivation simply: "My faith teaches me to do what's right and to care for others. I just wanted to make sure it got back to its owner."