JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A local family's Christmas was stolen.
While the family was out of their house, someone broke into their home and stole all their presents. "We came home last night and the house was broken into. All the Christmas presents were torn apart," said Mellina Parker.
Parker couldn't believe what she saw. Her stuff thrown everywhere and the kids Christmas presents were gone. Her 4-year-old daughter was in tears. "To see her as hurt as she was. She was balling, in tears, telling me her heart was broken. That's where it gets to you," said Parker.
Parker and her husband left their Westside home Monday night for just three hours and came home to find out someone had broken in. "I couldn't believe someone would do that to us, rob our Christmas. I worked extra hours to get the kids the presents they had," said Steven Holland.
JSO spokesperson Dewayne Richardson says this is the time of year when burglaries are on the rise because criminals know big tickets items could be inside your home. "Always lock your doors. This is the time of year when people are trying to see if they can get in your car, your garage, open the door or a window to get things they know will be there because of the time of the season," said Richardson.
For this family, the presents may not be under the tree but they have each other and a message to the person who stole Christmas for two young kids. "To a little kids Christmas, you completely destroyed it. It's horrible to see people be so heartless," said Parker.
There was a happy ending to this family's story. A JSO officer brought their little girl some stuffed animals. There is still no one in custody for the burglary. Anyone with information with information is asked to call the Duval County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
