Thief steals special iPad belonging to child with Down syndrome

CHARLEROI, Pa. — Several precious items were stolen from a Washington County family, but one thing in particular will be very difficult to replace.

Among the stolen items was a special iPad belonging to a boy with Down syndrome who has a tough time communicating, Channel 11's Cara Sapida reported.

WONDERFUL UPDATE: Help coming after thief steals from child

The thief broke into the Miller family's home just a few days before Christmas and took a laptop, the iPad and even little Elijah's backpack that had in it his folders from school. It's not having the iPad, however, that concerns the family most.

"I thought, 'Oh my god, Elijah's iPad,'" the child's mother, Michele Miller, recalled. "I run in the living room, (and) it's gone. I started crying. I didn't know what to do."

The iPad was specially given to Elijah by the Charleroi School District to help him communicate. The family said they believe the thief would only need a quick look to realize that it belonged to a special boy.

"(It has) bright blue bumper foam pad with a handle," Michele Miller pointed out. "Whenever you turn it on, you can see his pictures, all the sign language apps and other things for a child to learn and communicate."

Elijah's big brother Samuel had a message for the thief.

"Whoever took it, I hope they return it," the 9-year-old said. "Because that isn't just right. It isn't right."

The laptop is missing an F5 key. If you recognize any of those items, you are encouraged to contact Charleroi Police.

WPXI