"It's just, why?" Vacant school, set to become therapy center for those with autism vandalized

KENOSHA (WITI) -- The damage is devastating. What was once a Kenosha County elementary school is now the site of a brazen act of vandalism -- and this is about much more than a damaged building. The crime has affected a facility that is set to become a therapy center for children and adults with autism.

"Almost every room has damage. It had to have been sometime prior to Tuesday morning (April 21st) but after Thursday afternoon (April 16th). It does seem like it would be some sort of premeditated attack on the school. There`s a lot of thought that went into, just wreaking havoc," Steve Bostrom said.

The photos show what a group of vandals is accused of doing to Wilmot Elementary School in Kenosha County.



"Just a typical teenage kid prank. It's hard to believe that they would have this much rage on a school that has been vacant for three years," Bostrom said.

Bostrom is the realtor representing both the school district selling the facility and the buyer.

"I was pretty devastated when I walked in," Farrah Sonnenberg said.

Sonnenberg, with Sonnenberg Consultants was set to close on the purchase of the building Tuesday, April 21st. That's when the devastation was discovered.

"With the anti-freeze, then they swept it, then they poured more anti-freeze, then they...I mean, it`s just why? Nothing makes sense. It doesn`t make any sense why anyone would do this," Sonnenberg said.

Sonnenberg planned to use the facility to provide therapy to children with autism and adults with disabilities.

"We have a traditional day camp and we have a therapeutic day camp and we plan on intertwining those two," Sonnenberg said.

But for now, the work will involve repairing all the damage, which early estimates indicate could cost $30,000.

"Now it's 'when do we start this,' you know? When does this happen?'" Sonnenberg said.

Since the closing could not take place due to the vandalism, the facility remains the Kenosha Unified School District's property. It is expected the damage will be covered by the school district's insurance provider.

Meanwhile, Sonnenberg says she remains hopeful that the facility can open for summer camps in mid-June.