Customers at a deli in the Poconos can't believe someone stole a donation jar full of cash for a seriously ill toddler.
Workers at Plaza Deli in Scotrun said it happened sometime late Tuesday. Someone walked away with a donation jar full of money, money intended to help pay for a sick little boy's medical expenses.
"Some low life took it. Someone without a conscience would take from a baby that's been fighting for his life since the day he was born," said worker Kathy Ziolkowski.
The stolen donation jar is one of many placed at local businesses to raise money for 19-month-old Michael Benincasa. He is known to people in the Poconos as Baby Michael. He has spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that affects the spinal cord and muscle control. The donation jar was supposed to help out with medical expenses.
The family said this is not the first time someone has walked away with one of their donation jars.
"It's probably the fifth bottle we've had stolen over the past couple of months," said Brenda Hanvey, Michael's grandmother.
Customers at the deli said they are shocked someone would stoop so low to steal from a sick child.
"It's awful. I can't see how they could live with themselves," said Michael Chiavaro of Stroudsburg.
"I am totally disgusted. I can't believe someone is that desperate for money that they would steal from a child," said Marilyn Roberts of East Stroudsburg.
However this story has a silver lining.
When Michael's grandmother paid a visit to the deli to drop off a new donation jar, deli workers had something for her; a $1,000 check from a costumer who was moved by Baby Michael's story, as well as many others who have stopped by just to make a donation.
"It's been incredible. We have some wonderful people out there that make up for the low life who would do something so horrible," Ziolkowski added.
The Plaza Deli workers said they don't know who took the jar but they are hoping whoever it is will return to cash.
For more information on how you can make a donation for Baby Michael click HERE.
Workers at Plaza Deli in Scotrun said it happened sometime late Tuesday. Someone walked away with a donation jar full of money, money intended to help pay for a sick little boy's medical expenses.
"Some low life took it. Someone without a conscience would take from a baby that's been fighting for his life since the day he was born," said worker Kathy Ziolkowski.
The stolen donation jar is one of many placed at local businesses to raise money for 19-month-old Michael Benincasa. He is known to people in the Poconos as Baby Michael. He has spinal muscular atrophy, a genetic disease that affects the spinal cord and muscle control. The donation jar was supposed to help out with medical expenses.
The family said this is not the first time someone has walked away with one of their donation jars.
"It's probably the fifth bottle we've had stolen over the past couple of months," said Brenda Hanvey, Michael's grandmother.
Customers at the deli said they are shocked someone would stoop so low to steal from a sick child.
"It's awful. I can't see how they could live with themselves," said Michael Chiavaro of Stroudsburg.
"I am totally disgusted. I can't believe someone is that desperate for money that they would steal from a child," said Marilyn Roberts of East Stroudsburg.
However this story has a silver lining.
When Michael's grandmother paid a visit to the deli to drop off a new donation jar, deli workers had something for her; a $1,000 check from a costumer who was moved by Baby Michael's story, as well as many others who have stopped by just to make a donation.
"It's been incredible. We have some wonderful people out there that make up for the low life who would do something so horrible," Ziolkowski added.
The Plaza Deli workers said they don't know who took the jar but they are hoping whoever it is will return to cash.
For more information on how you can make a donation for Baby Michael click HERE.
