Family calls for help after specialized wheelchair stolen with car
Originally published 05:34 p.m., February 29, 2008
Updated 05:38 p.m., February 29, 2008
Alyssa McElwe, 6, has a condition that does not allow her to walk. She goes to school at McClure Elementary, but has been absent for the last few days. That is because her wheelchair was stolen along with the family car.
She depends on her wheelchair to get around. And, it was inside her mom's car when it was stolen this week.
"It just baffles me, I can't believe that somebody would do that. I mean if they needed the car so badly, why wouldn't they just set the wheelchair out? Just leave it in the parking lot? But no, they just took everything," said Tracy McElwee, Alyssa’s mother.
The family would like your help getting both the car and the wheelchair back.
Crime Tracker
49 News Crime Tracker found that at least 83 cars have been stolen in Topeka since the beginning of the year.
The car is a green 2005 Chrysler Pacifica. The wheelchair was specially made for Alyssa and her condition and cost approximately $4,000.
Both were stolen from the parking lot of the Electric Cowboy on Southwest Topeka.
Alyssa can not get around without the specialized wheelchair, and a standard wheelchair will not help her.
"She's been gone since it's been stolen,” said Terry Lower, Alyssa’s teacher. “The kids miss her, I miss her. She's a wonderful little girl and we hope she gets her chair back and can come back to school."
McElwee has rented a car for now. The school district is trying to find a temporary wheelchair so that Alyssa can return to school until her wheelchair can be recovered.
"Eventually, hopefully the car will be found or I can replace it, but right now my main concern is getting her wheelchair, because she can't go to school. I can't take her with me anywhere because she weighs almost 70 pounds, so I can't carry her."
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