LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Leavenworth, Indiana woman accused of keeping funds meant for the family of the 18-year-old boy who was shot and killed at Harvest Homecoming last year has now officially been charged.
Amber Tower, owner of Tower's Tees, sold shirts for a fundraiser in honor of Bryce Gerlach after he was killed, promising to give the proceeds from their sale to Gerlach's family.
However, the family said they never got that money.
The Harrison County Sheriff's office launched an investigation earlier this year. According to court documents, Tower owes the Gerlach family more than $13,000.
The T-shirts, in Bryce's favorite color, blue, said "Forever in Our Hearts." Many of the shirts were sold last October before a football game to honor the slain teen, who played football at Corydon Central High School.
Proceeds from sales of this T-shirt should have went to Bryce Gerlach's family. (WDRB image)
Gary Henderson owns 4ink, a local print shop. He said he donated ink to Tower, something that would've normally cost $1,500-$1,600.
"It took us about three days, three to four days worth of printing nonstop, from open to close, and provided those to her at no additional cost to print the Bryce shirts," Henderson said.
He said he did that in good faith, because at the time, she said 100% of the proceeds would go to the Bryce Gerlach Memorial Scholarship Fund.
"I'm not surprised that we are where we're at right now," Henderson said. "Do I think it's gonna solve the hurt and heartache that the family's having to deal with? I don't think so, just because they have just been victimized over victimized so many times throughout this whole process. So it's a little bit of justice, but I don't think it's all what we need."
According to court documents, Tower announced she would donate the proceeds from the shirt sales to the family on her Facebook page. From Oct. 14-Oct. 25, 2024, court documents showed she made $20,193.
"The facts of this case are a difficult one," Otto Schalk, Harrison County prosecutor said. "They're a difficult case to stomach. You see an individual that's alleged to have been exploiting the senseless death of one of our Harrison County teens. And it's hard to stomach, it's hard to say that's a misdemeanor. But that's -- given what we know -- that is what the law allows."
Tower is now being charged with one count of conversion. She appeared in a Harrison County court Wednesday and has since posted a $1,000 cash bond.
This story will be updated.
Previous Coverage:
Southern Indiana business under investigation over misuse of funds raised for slain teen's family
Louisville man sentenced in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting in New Albany
Several suspects in fatal Harvest Homecoming shooting avoid trial with plea deals
Louisville man pleads guilty in Harvest Homecoming fatal shooting
5th man charged in murder of southern Indiana teenager at Harvest Homecoming
3 Louisville men charged with murder in Harvest Homecoming shooting case
New Albany residents grateful after 2 people were detained in Harvest Homecoming shooting case
Community honors Corydon football player shot and killed at Harvest Homecoming
Father of teenager shot and killed at Harvest Homecoming says 'good and love will triumph'
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