During the month of January a crime wave swept through the once serene halls of Lightridge, as multiple kidnappings held both teachers and students in the icy grip of fear.

Every year, AP Psychology students participate in a sock baby project designed to teach developmental psychology through hands-on experience. Students create sock babies, care for them over a two-week period, and document their child’s growth through seven journal entries that represent different stages of life and development. 

“The assignment is really just for fun,” said AP Psychology teacher Michelle Sambiase. “They grow from tiny sock babies to going off to college, and students incorporate vocabulary from our development unit into their journal entries.” 

Students are encouraged to treat the project as an experience and to enjoy it. Many take their babies on playdates, place them in cars for their first time driving, and stage family gatherings. 

“They have cousins and friends and play meetups,” said Sambiase. “We get a lot of really cute things that come out of it.” 

However, this year’s assignment took an unexpected turn. On a single day, several sock babies were reported missing within a mere few hours. The kidnappings occurred across multiple classrooms, surprising both staff and students. 

“This is the first year we have had a significant kidnapping spree,” said Sambiase. “It was concerning that it happened widespread and under teachers’ noses.”

Science teacher Edward Chi encountered one of the missing sock babies.  After finding the cotton crafted youth on a table, he brought it to his desk for safekeeping. When he returned later, the baby had disappeared. 

“I walked back to my desk and it was missing,” said Chi. “Nobody would tell me where it went.”

Following the incident, missing sock baby posters were created by Irene Moulton, the other AP Psychology teacher, and were hung around the school. Teachers were alerted to locate the missing sock babies. 

Latin teacher Steven Boscovitch, reported that he did not witness any suspicious behavior, but confirmed that at least one kidnapping occurred in his classroom. 

“My heart was pounding out of my chest,” said Prasai, who teared up at the memory. “I got a headache, I was sweaty everywhere. My baby is literally my pride and joy.”

Senior Mahee Parekh admitted to taking the sock baby after finding it unattended. 

“[Prasai] left it on the desk and walked out,” said Parekh. “That’s child negligence, so I gave it to Ms. Moulton.”

Junior Kaylin Levy also experienced a disappearance after leaving her sock baby on her desk during Latin class. 

“I came back and she was gone,” said Levy. “I looked for her all throughout my class and couldn’t find her. I was really worried because she’s so cute.”

Senior Rishi Lakshman’s sock baby was taken by another student before being returned. Lakshman said the incident added to stress from an already difficult day. 

“I was already irritated because I didn’t do well on a test,” said Lakshman. “Then I got lectured about losing my baby [by Mrs. Sambiase].” 

According to Sambiase, students who lose their babies must retrieve them directly from her or Moulton.

“[The consequence is really] just shame,” said Sambiase. “They have to come face us and get a small parenting lecture.”

Grades are not affected by whether students physically keep their sock babies. Instead, they are graded based on their journal entries and use of psychology vocabulary. 

Although rumors circulated that the teachers orchestrated the kidnappings, Sambiase denied any involvement. 

While the number of kidnappings has decreased, the incident has left a lasting impression on the school community. Sambiase said that every year brings something unexpected. 

“One year students had a bonfire with their babies,” said Sambiase. “Every year we learn something new about our students.” 

As of now, most sock babies have been recovered, and teachers are considering ways to prevent similar situations in future years.