Burglars broke into a Phoenix home and stole a box containing the ashes of a woman's 12-year-old son who died unexpectedly.
Now his mother is asking for those ashes to be returned.
It's all she has left of 12-year-old son. Her only child. The robbers took jewelry and cash – but all she cares about are her son's ashes.
"It's a horrible thing to lose a child, no one should have to do that so to have someone take him it's just devastating," says Nancy Gifford.
Nancy Gifford feels like she's lost her son again. His ashes were stolen Wednesday from her home near 42nd Street and Union Hills.
"It doesn't look like anything, really it just looks like a treasure box and he's in it."
12-year-old Lucas Gifford died unexpectedly. This January will be the third anniversary of his death. Nancy wasn't ready to bury Lucas - so kept his ashes in a box - then she put that box in her safe.
"I put him in the safe, I put him in the safe because I thought he was safe."
But the robbers managed to steal the safe with Lucas's ashes inside.
"He was the love of my life. He was such a special child. He was smart, he was funny, he cared about other people, he was kind and this is what I had left of him and I need it back, I need his ashes back," says Gifford.
Gifford is surrounded by memories of Lucas - including his two dogs, Peaches and Spot.
"I said why that one with all these cute puppies, and it was the one he wanted."
Lucas was her life.
"I just want his ashes back. I don't care about any of the other stuff it's just things. My son is everything to me, that's all that matters is getting him back."
Gifford says there will be no questions asked if her son's ashes are returned.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:52 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:52:40 GMT
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
It once was an accepted tactic as old as policing itself and, according to the NYPD, a key to the city's dramatic drop in crime: patrol officers stopping young men on the street to see if they're up to no good.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:36 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:36:58 GMT
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Members of the American Legion Post 1 honored their own this Memorial Day. The veterans association decorated the graves of veterans at the Cemetery of the Madonna in Leonia Saturday morning.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:25 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:25:11 GMT
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Authorities are investigating the death of a 4-week old baby in the Bronx Saturday morning. Police say they were contacted by officials from North Central Bronx Hospital around 9:50 a.m.
Saturday, May 25 2013 6:13 PM EDT2013-05-25 22:13:45 GMT
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Nassau County police have once again arrested the woman who was convicted last year for offering services as a prostitute from her hot dog vending truck.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:51 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:51:03 GMT
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
While some business may be have been dismal at the beaches, a lot of people who needed to venture out and keep busy Saturday found things to do – and stay dry.
Saturday, May 25 2013 5:08 PM EDT2013-05-25 21:08:28 GMT
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Nassau County health officials announced that due to heavy rainfall, 19 beaches have been closed to bathing as a precautionary measure beginning Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25 2013 4:42 PM EDT2013-05-25 20:42:49 GMT
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
First the Sequester cuts took the American military out of the Jones Beach Air Show and now the cold and rainy start to Memorial Day has washed out the first day of the air show.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:44 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:44:03 GMT
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy.
The unofficial start of summer is being met with not-so-perfect beach weather. Many beach communities had been hoping for good weather this Memorial Day weekend following the destruction caused by superstorm Sandy. The Fox 5 weather team is calling for sunny skies on Sunday and Monday.
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