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Mother says daughter's school records posted on Instagram

ATLANTA — An Atlanta mother is upset after she says her daughter's personal files were left out in a classroom and someone posted pictures of them on Instagram.

Maisha Harris says the files showed her daughter's Social Security number on them and she's worried about identity theft.

“It shows schools, name, her last year’s grade,” Harris said as she showed the documents to Channel 2’s Craig Lucie.

Harris laid out several personal documents on her dining room table that she says include all of her daughter’s personal information. She says someone took a picture of each document and posted it on Instagram.

“This one shows multiple files, not just my student's files,” said Harris.

One document is a handwritten note her daughter, Nzinga, wrote after disciplinary action at Frederick Douglass High School.

“It opens the door for bullying, mistrust,” said Harris.

When she contacted the school, she says the principal apologized and told her the room where the files were found was used as a storage room that was later converted into a computer lab.

In an email he wrote, “The previous academy leader left the files in an unsecured file cabinet in the room…necessary steps have been taken to ensure that files are appropriately secured.”

Harris told us she didn't believe the information was out there at first until her daughter pulled up the Instagram account.

“Her Social Security in digits belonged to Nzinga Harris. It showed the address. It was very detailed, what was put on Instagram,” explained Harris.

Harris quickly contacted Instagram, but says she's still worried.

“It was taken down; however, it was already out there. I don't know how long  or how many people out there saw her information,” said Harris.

We also reached out to Atlanta Public Schools Saturday about the files and are waiting to hear back.

The principal told Harris that he was very concerned and that the documents would be shredded and they should have been shredded before.