Dad Frank Brenes has taken to Facebook to air his outrage over some valuable family possessions that were stolen while he and his sons were having a swim.
The Brenes family are from California and dad Frank had taken them to Crystal Cove Beach in Orange County for a fun day out.
While in the water, they left their belongings on the shore - bags, wallet, camera, towels, shoes - all of the usual stuff.
But the most important item left behind to prevent it from getting wet was young Liam's prosthetic leg.
Liam, now 4 years old, had his leg amputated when he was just one year's old due to a rare condition called FATCO syndrome.
On returning from their swim, the family were dismayed to discover that some heartless thieves had made off, not just with the wallets, phone and camera, but Liam's prosthetic leg too.
Dad Frank says in his recent Facebook post that he is 'crushed' that someone could do this to their little son;
Despite searching the area around the beach, including all the nearby bins, the family have been unable to find the stolen items.
According to
reports, 4-year-old Liam is being really brave and pragmatic about the events and has put a new leg on his Christmas wish list already. His dad says that this was his response upon hearing that his leg was gone;
"It's OK Daddy, I can just ask Santa for something important. I'll just ask for a new leg"
What a fantastic little boy - let's hope there is a happy ending to this story.
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