KONOTOP, Ukraine, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- A 9-year-old Ukrainian boy spent nearly $4,000 on candy in several days, the money coming from his parents' savings hidden in a couch.

"The disappearance [of the money] was first spotted by his father. He opened the stash and saw it was empty," said Tatyana Kushnerova of the Konotop, Ukraine police department.


After an argument, the son admitted taking the money during his autumn school holiday, $3,300 in U.S. cash and about 600 euros ($635), converting it to Ukrainian hryvnas with the help of an adult acquaintance and spending it on candy, which he shared with friends, the Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported Wednesday.

The man, who was diagnosed with a mental disorder, always received a tip for his services, the news agency said.