ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. -- A third-grader in Elizabeth Forward School District was accused of stealing.

It turned out the little girl didn't take any money.

But her parents say their 8-year-old daughter endured public humiliation.

The incident happened more than a month ago on the little girl's school bus.

A student accused her of taking her money.

The student later recanted her story, but the damage was done.

Channel 4 Action News reporter Jennifer Miele said that William Penn School Principal Marlene Whitby took the girl into every classroom at the school and told students the girl was a thief and a liar.

The punishment has other parents outraged.

Some parents say the principal's actions have turned students against the little girl, even though she didn't take any money.

Elizabeth Forward's representative said the district doesn't comment on disciplinary matters.

She wouldn't say if the principal will be reprimanded.

Whitby did apologize to the little girl, but not in public -- the way the girl's father had hoped.