Exclusive: Thieves Steal Money And Hearts Of Three Kids
TAMARAC (CBS4) - It doesn't get much worse than stealing from children especially when those kids worked for more than a year to earn money to reach a special goal.
But that's what happened to Vickie Vaden and her three children in Tamarac earlier this month.
"We really don't have much and the little bit of stuff we had is gone now," Vaden told CBS4's Carey Codd. "It's devastating."
The kids worked making candy treats -- chocolate and candy-covered pretzels as well as chocolate covered marshmallows -- to sell at birthday parties. The children also sold their old toys on eBay and at yard sales to earn enough money for a Disney cruise.
By the middle of February, the trio, who call themselves "3 Broke Kids" after the CBS television show, "2 Broke Girls," had raised $1,800. The money was collected in a colorful jar that Vaden said her kids loved looking at it.
Vaden says the trio was just $200 from their goal.
"That's a lot of money," she said. "That's a lot of hard work. They've been working really hard at it."
But on the day before Valentine's Day, Vaden said a thief broke into the family's home and stole a bunch of electronics and the jar filled with cash. She was so heartbroken that she had to wait a few days before telling the children.
"When they found out they were very upset," Vaden said.
Vaden's 10-year-old son described his reaction.
"I fell on the ground and had a heart attack," he told CBS4.
Like most kids, the Vaden children are resilient and they're hopeful they can again earn enough money to take a Disney cruise.
"They're gonna get on that ship some day," Vaden said. "I'll make sure they're definitely on that ship."
Police have not yet caught the person who broke into the house.
Vickie learned a valuable lesson after the robbery. She no longer keeps the money in a jar so the kids can see it. She keeps the money in the bank.
If you want to help the kids click here for their Facebook page
