Walker of Shame

By Matt Wood in News on Oct 20, 2006 12:08PM

In a story that seems like the most dark and twisted Seinfeld episode ever, a Palos Heights family is trying to figure out what to do after someone stole their 4-year-old son's walker, pediatric stroller, and a backpack with a turkey sandwich from his driveway. Stephen Sichak and his mother were waiting for the schoolbus last week, when they left the stuff at the end of the driveway and went inside to escape from the cold. When the bus came shortly thereafter, the things were gone. Stephen's mother Erin thought the bus driver had already put them on the bus, but it turns out that they were stolen.

It might not be quite as sadistic as it sounds, because police think the walker and stroller may have been taken by junk collectors for scrap metal. But who couldn't wait more than 10 minutes to see if it really was trash, especially when it was a walker? Besides, we also don't think scavengers would have taken a little boy's backpack.

If the words make you depressed, then don't look at the pictures at CBS 2. That little boy is Tiny Tim from A Christmas Carol incarnate. The family has ordered new equipment, and doesn't want any donations. They'd rather see any money go to Stephen's school. We won't be as gracious though, because we wish those thieves had gotten hit by the schoolbus.