Disabled Girl’s Trampoline Stolen

Alabama Stolen Summerdale mother says heartless thief stole her disabled daughter's trampoline used for physical therapy

by Pat Peterson

Published: Mon, June 29, 2009 - 3:45 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, June 29, 2009 - 4:40 pm CST

Niki French showed us what's left of her daughter's trampoline. Someone stole the trampoline out of their backyard late last week.

"We're very upset that someone would come into our yard and steal something we worked hard for," says French.

The trampoline was a vital part of her disabled daughter's physical therapy program. Nine year old Brianna had open heart surgery when she was younger and suffered a stroke during the procedure. That incident left her disabled and in desperate need of physical activity.

"Brianna is basically non verbal due to the stroke, but she was very upset. She still walks out in the backyard looking for it and we have no explanation as to who took it and why they took it," says French. "The police think it was probably some teenagers, they were going to talk to some troubled teens in the area."

The French's have a message for whoever stole the trampoline...

"I hope you can find it in your heart to bring it back to us, my husband and I scraped and pinched and saved every bit of money to be able to buy it, I won't press charges, we just want it back."

Late Monday afternoon, a News 5 viewer contacted me and offered to donate a trampoline to the French family. We'll keep you posted on what happens.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama

Video
Photo
Map

Embed:

WKRG.com Related

News –› Alabama

News –› Summerdale

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

Download Video

mob1 Says:

Sat, Jul 04, 2009 at 12:59 pm

Glam:
That is one thing I agree with in other countries. If you steel something the offending hand shall be removed. Now granted small children are different but any teen or adult knows better and shall have the hand removed.

nfrench Says:

Sat, Jul 04, 2009 at 12:09 pm

We are so thankful that our trampoline found its way home this weekend. Briana was so excited! She took off running walked around it feeling it saying her happy sound of EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! Thank you so much Mr Peterson for airing our story, as well as Channel 5 for being so helpful in this matter.Mr. Peterson I was so shocked yesterday I didnt get the chance to say thank you so much for you taking time out of your busy schedule and day as well as time away from your family to come out and help ours. Your kindness will never be forgotten! Our family will never forget the kindness everyone has shown us this past week. All the offers of support, prayers, and offers to help. Thank you again everyone!

BamaBob Says:

Fri, Jul 03, 2009 at 6:18 pm

I’m glad the little girl got her trampoline back. I hope the jerks that stole it wake up with nightmares.

goneisland2 Says:

Thu, Jul 02, 2009 at 7:55 pm

According to the rest of the story, “Late Monday afternoon, a News 5 viewer contacted me and offered to donate a trampoline to the French family. We’ll keep you posted on what happens.”

glamblitz Says:

Thu, Jul 02, 2009 at 10:54 am

criminals don’t care who they hurt. if they would ask them what hand they stole it w/ then cut it off. their would be alot less theives around.

BamaBob Says:

Thu, Jul 02, 2009 at 9:56 am

How did this all work out?

nfrench Says:

Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 8:37 pm

I do not think they took it apart to haul it off. If what my neighbor said is true then the trampoline was still together but the net was taken down. The net snaps in place in the top of the pole. then its tied onto the trampoline. they may have took the net off at the top but not completely apart. We are just so amazed at how supportive the community has been given this sad situation. We truly hope the person will return the trampoline and I know chances are slim. The persons who took it are bound to tell someone and I just hope that someone is a good citizen and turns them in. We are not naive Ive accepted that it is forever gone.

goneisland2 Says:

Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 6:46 pm

I, too, would be glad to pitch in and help.

minimay87 Says:

Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 3:31 pm

It was so cute. I was sitting on the couch talking to my husband about what happened to this little girl and my 2 year old went and grabbed some change off the table. It was only a few pennies and some quarters, but it still made me cry. However, I do not know how well she will take when I have to go through her toy’s this summer to donate to charity. Guess I will need to let her have a grandparent’s weekend when I do it.

southernbelle6913 Says:

Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 3:12 pm

I sincerely hope whoever did this feels really, really bad. This is just so sad. nfrench, I see that several others on here are offering some help, if the other trampoline does not work out, my husband and I would be more than happy to chip in however we can. Just PM me and let me know.