A Summit Street mom found herself pleading with strangers on social media after her baby’s diaper bag — including a medically necessary helmet — was stolen right off her front porch just after 6 p.m.
Police were called, and officers took information for a report. But with no clear suspects and neighbors’ cameras capturing nothing, the family feared the worst.
That’s when the mom took her search public.
A Mother’s Viral Plea
Her message was blunt — and furious:
“To the absolute dumbass that stole a baby’s bag off our front porch… keep everything in the bag if you need it, but PLEASE return the baby’s helmet. It is medically necessary. No questions asked.”
She posted photos of the bag and helmet and said police even encouraged them to install their own camera because no footage had been captured.
Commenters were outraged on her behalf:
“Wowwww, a baby’s stuff really?”
“Be a thief if you want, but once you saw it was for a baby, you should’ve taken it back.”
“Low-life people drive me crazy.”
For a moment, it looked like the helmet might be gone for good.
A Twist: Found in a Trash Can
Then — a break.
The next day, the mom shared an update: the helmet had been found in a trash can on 18th Street.
It was recovered and returned to the family.
Porch Piracy: A Growing Problem
While this story has a relieved ending, it highlights a rising local trend: porch theft — even of items clearly belonging to children or containing medical equipment.
Experts say thieves often grab bags without checking what’s inside, sometimes tossing anything that isn’t valuable to them.
To protect yourself:
- Install a porch camera (police often recommend this).
• Ask family or delivery services to place items out of sight.
• Retrieve dropped-off items quickly when possible.
• Report ALL thefts — even if small — to help officers track patterns.
One thing is certain:
Anyone who dumps a baby’s medical helmet in a trash can might just redefine the word “heartless.”