Update : Follow-up on the news : COSTA MESA : Season Brightened for Once-Homeless Teen
Christmas came early this week for Estancia High School student Chris Linden.
The 14-year-old freshman was showered with gifts, including a 10-speed bicycle, a portable computer, movie and theme park passes, and gift certificates.
Laguna Niguel resident and Estancia alumna Cyndi Johnson said she was moved after reading about Chris’ plight in a recent story in The Times.
“It touched my heart to see this kid try to survive and have other people respond,” said Johnson, who owns a power generating system business. “I wanted to do something about it.”
Chris lived in a shelter, a series of motels, his mother’s van and finally on the streets for nearly five months until classmates rallied to help him.
The court is now studying whether Chris’ parents are able to take him back. In the meantime, Chris has been staying with a foster family.
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