SPRING LAKE, NC -- A Spring Lake mom was upset after she said her child was humiliated by a school cafeteria worker.

• Christina Duke said a lunch staff worker at Overhills High School took her son's food; then threw it away claiming his account had a negative balance.
• Harnett County School officials said they notify parents if accounts are in the negative.
• School officials said it's part of the policy to take food away from students who can't afford it.

Christina Duke said a lunch staff worker at Overhills High School took her son's food; then threw it away claiming his account had a negative balance.

Harnett County School officials said they notify parents if accounts are in the negative.

Duke found out her son had twenty cents remaining and wasn't aware it was so low. She acknowledged it was her responsibility to refill her child's food balance, but she was concerned if workers followed the correct protocol.

"When you take his lunch and tell me he doesn't have enough money, that's embarrassing...which is going to make him not want to go back up there and get food unless he knows for a fact," Duke said.

Harnett County School officials said it's part of the policy to take food away from students who can't afford it. They admit the situation was handled wrong and informed staff on how to handle similar situations.