Community Works To Replace Family's Christmas After Theft
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Christmas was stolen from a West Baltimore family. Burglars ransacked their home, stealing the presents right out from under their tree.
Meghan McCorkell has more as a community comes together to help.
The Atkinson family was at a Christmas Eve dinner when burglars broke into their home, stealing some things that can't be replaced.
Smiling faces are something Tamika and Terry Atkinson haven't seen on their three children in days. Christmas Eve night, their house was broken into and the gifts under the tree were all gone.
"I was mad. I was upset," said Deontae Atkinson.
"It felt terrible that I couldn't see my kids' faces on Christmas morning," said Terry Atkinson.
The burglars broke in through a tiny window in the basement, then came in the back door. They stole gifts, electronics and even Tamika's wedding rings.
"Just angry, you know, at how someone could be so heartless as to come in on a day like Christmas Eve and just completely tear a family apart," Tamika Atkinson said.
Police lifted fingerprints from the home but there hasn't been an arrest yet.
The family says someone in the neighborhood had to see someone walking out of their house with televisions and Christmas presents. They just want someone to come forward with information.
"I want them to be caught because I don't want another family to go through what my family is going through," said Tamika Atkinson.
Since word got out about the burglary, the community has come together.
"We got a lot of phone calls from different people that wanted to help us," said Terry Atkinson.
Now, donated toys fill their living room.
"They helped us get our Christmas back," said Deontae.
The spirit of giving is helping this family have a belated holiday.
The family says while they are grateful for all the donations, the real gift they want is the burglars behind bars.
The Atkinsons have only lived in their West Baltimore home for two months. They now plan to move out because they no longer feel safe.
