D.C. mom to pumpkin thief: You're a @*&%^!!!

(CBS) WASHINGTON D.C. - A mother in Wash., D.C. was irate after discovering a thief had made off with a pumpkin carved by her 2-year-old son last week, so she decided to take matters into her own hands - and with her own choice words.

Becky Reina took a marker to a piece of cardboard and posted the following sign that contained a blunt message for the petty criminal:

"To the person who stole my son's pumpkin:

Thank you for the life lesson. This will help teach him that sometimes people are mean for no reason and you have to just brush it off.

Because my son is two years old and cannot read this sign, I will add: you are an ***hole."

The mother told CBS D.C. she understands it is common for pumpkins to be smashed and stolen this time of year - but it was "really upsetting" that it happened to the pumpkin belonging to her toddler son.

She reportedly says she's confident the thief has seen the sign and gotten the message.