A DeKalb County family says the van they rely on to transport their disabled daughter was stolen out of their carport while they watched TV inside.
That specially-outfitted van is the difference between independence and being stuck inside her home for 24-year-old Alicia Day.
Day just started her first-ever paying job last week as a greeter at Home Depot. She's proud that despite the fact that she has cerebral palsy, she's out in the world developing some independence.
"I want to have independence…That [van] was the main part of it," said Day.
The van was stolen Sunday night from the Day family's home while they were inside watching TV.
"They were coming out the door, going to the trash can there and it was all empty," Hanne Day.
"That just tears me apart. Still trying to figure out why would somebody do that," said Day.
Without the van, Alicia can still get back and forth to work on MARTA, but most everything else becomes very difficult.
"That's like taking away my wheelchair," said Alicia.
A replacement van would cost as much as $40,000 to $50,000. With both of Alicia's parents now on a fixed income, that's overwhelming.
The family had also planned on a beach vacation next week. That isn't possible now.
"The van is my life I need that van to get around, to go places," said Day.
DeKalb police are investigating the theft. The Day family is hoping someone with information about the van will step forward.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 7:11 PM EDT2013-06-18 23:11:21 GMT
Atlanta police have arrested two brothers for running what they say was a major fraud ring that caused small businesses across the country to lose more than $300,000.
Atlanta police have arrested two brothers for running what they say was a major fraud ring that caused small businesses across the country to lose more than $300,000.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:22 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:22:48 GMT
Defense attorneys want the governor's report on Atlanta Public Schools cheating thrown out. They say educators were threatened to cooperate with investigators or lose their jobs.
Defense attorneys want the governor's report on Atlanta Public Schools cheating thrown out. They say educators were threatened to cooperate with investigators or lose their jobs.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
A van used to transport Alicia Day was stolen outside of the family's home.
