Watch CBS News

Pa. Homeless Man Returns $1,440 He Found On Street

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) - So what would you do if you found nearly $1,500 in cash in an envelope lying on the ground? A homeless man in Chester County encountered that exact scenario and turned the money into police.

Attorney Robert Stauffer had an envelope inside his jacket that contained $1,440. The money was intended to be used for a business transaction. However, unbeknownst to Stauffer, he had a hole in his jacket and the money fell out onto a street in West Chester.

John Kavanaugh, a homeless man, just happened to step onto the envelope and discovered the money. Kavanaugh, not thinking about his own economic woes, turned the money over to the West Chester Police Department.

On Thursday, the two had a reunion in which Stauffer presented Kavanaugh with an undisclosed amount of money as a reward for his kind act.

Stauffer also said his law firm will make a donation to a pantry where Kavanaugh eats.

"Stereotypes are nonsense and you can't judge anybody by how they look or the color of their skin or their religion. You gotta give everybody a chance. If you give them a chance, you would be surprised at what you find out," Stauffer said Thursday.

Stauffer says he plans to check up on Kavanaugh to see what help he can provide in the future.

Reported By Steve Beck, CBS Philly

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.