International student visiting Atlanta may miss child's birth after passport theft

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. — A group of international college students came to Atlanta to learn but instead were victimized.

An instructor in their program said they became victims last week outside the Fernbank Science Center in DeKalb County. Their van was broken into, and the students quickly realized their bags and thousands of dollars in cash were taken.

"Surprise, sadness, disappointment," instructor Omar Romagnoli told Channel 2's Justin Wilfon. "They lost many valuables."

One of the students can’t get home after someone stole his passport along with $3,000. He said the inconvenience could force him to even miss his child’s birth, stating he has to wait until July 15 to receive a new Guatemalan passport.

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A friend of the students started a GoFundMe page to try to help the students get back the stolen cash.

The students were learning how to help the needy around the world, but now they are in need themselves.

"We could never be able to put together the amount of money they need,” Romagnoli said.

DeKalb County Schools police are handling the case.

Cox Media Group