By Benjamin Millar
The parents of a young girl with a rare genetic condition have issued a heartfelt plea for the return of a stolen hard drive containing years of their family’s precious memories.
A $1000 reward is being offered for the safe return of the portable hard drive, stolen from their home during a brazen daylight burglary in Maidstone on Tuesday.
Sandy Reay said her house was broken into some time between 9.15am and 1.45 pm on Tuesday, August 7.
Theives made off with electronic equipment and a number of personal items, but the most upsetting loss was a hard drive full of photos and videos tracing the life of her daughter Marly.
Marly, 8, has been diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Prader-Willi Syndrome, characterised by low muscle tone, intellectual disability, challenging behaviours and an insatiable appetite which can lead to dangerous overeating.
“We have filmed and photographed all of Marly’s milestones, and there are many nights where we sit and watch the videos together with tears in our eyes,” Ms Reay said.
“It reminds us of how far she has come. These memories are so precious to us, along with all our other photos.
“No matter what she goes through, she wakes up happy every morning, ready to try her little heart out.”
Ms Reay said the theft came after the family had started the day on a high, with Marly attending her first camp.
“We were nervous as she has only been out of our care a handful of times, but so proud and excited for her,” she said.
“We had planned a special date for our younger daughter Billie in the evening.
“She is a loving sister and always puts Marly’s needs first and we were looking forward to spoiling her and giving her our undivided attention for the evening – something that never happens.”
The plans were dealt a cruel blow, however, when Ms Reay’s husband Yanto returned home to discover the house had been broken into.
Police are investigating the break-in, along with a number of others recorded in the same area over the past week.
The stolen hard drive was a 1TB Toshiba Canvio portable hard drive.
A $1000 reward will be given for the return of the portable hard drive and its contents.
Anyone who has witnessed any suspicious activity in the area is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
