"Take it back to her”: Parents' heartbroken plea to thieves who targeted their daughter's grave
When three-year-old Brittany Conway died after swelling a button battery, news of her death made headlines and prompted urgent warnings to parents everywhere.
Now, just one month out from the four-year anniversary of Brittany's death, her parents are grieving all over again after their daughter's grave was targeted by callous thieves, who took off with a "precious" keepsake.
“She was a vivacious little girl, there was a sparkle in her eye,” Brittany’s mother Lorraine told 7News. “She was a very loving, gentle, funny character.”
Brittany’s love of tiaras was immortalised when one was placed inside a locked glass-front box attached to her grave.
“Brittany loved wearing big bows and pretty dresses, she loved the tiaras and high heels,” Lorraine said.
“We just wanted her to know she was our little princess.”
Brittany's parents were heartbroken when they discovered that thieves had pried open the lockbox on the grave and stolen the tiara.
“I was so angry to think someone had taken something so precious, taken it out of somewhere so sacred,” Lorraine said.
The local Gold Coast community has rallied around the family, offering to replace the tiara and even reward money for the beloved item to be returned.
Brittany’s parents are still hoping the tiara will be returned, and sharing a public message to the thief that they “did not hate them” for what they had done, but urged them to give the item back.
“I’m still angry, I’m hurt, but my main thing now is to get (the tiara) home, and bring it back to Brittany where it belongs,” Lorraine said.
“They haven’t thought about how much of an impact it has had on the family."
“If you’re watching this, and you’ve taken it, I don’t hate you — just take it back to her.”
Image credits: 7News