NEWPORT, Ky. – A 3-year-old with spina bifida has his wheelchair back after police recovered the family’s stolen SUV, the boy’s mother told WCPO Thursday.
Jessica Russell said Cincinnati police spotted their newly-purchased blue 2016 Rav4 on Vine Street Wednesday night and gave chase, eventually laying down spike strips that blew out two tires. One suspect in the car was arrested and another escaped, she said.
The wheelchair is still in good condition, Russell said, and she is making arrangements to return more than $8,000 donated through a YouCaring Page to buy a new wheelchair.
Newport police said someone stole the Rav4 between 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday. Russell and John Eckert said they left the SUV warming up in the driveway outside their home on Columbia Street.
"It happened so fast, literally less than 10 minutes," Eckert said.
Three-year-old Jordan's wheelchair was in the back of the SUV. He is paralyzed from the waist down.
"His wheelchair, that's his legs," Eckert said. "His wheelchair is his mobility, and without that he's crawling."
The couple said Jordan couldn't attend school without his custom-made red and black wheelchair. They can typically cost up to $7,000, they said.
