Child's ashes taken in Waterford break-in

Waterford Township— When Wendy and Dave Turnquist returned home Friday and saw their side-door window smashed and the door open, they thought about the television, laptops and jewelry that might be missing. They never thought a thief would have taken their son's urn and gold medallion with his thumbprint, and only those two items.

Ryan Christopher McDonald died when he was 12 years old on Feb. 9, 2007. For many years he battled Kearns-Sayre Syndrome, a debilitating disease that made it difficult for him to walk and speak, but was celebrated in his community for his cheerfulness and good nature.

His stepfather, Dave Turnquist, said Ryan was the type of kid that wanted to visit others when they were sick because he would worry about them.

Whoever entered the house in Waterford Township between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., only disturbed the bedroom, Turnquist said. His dresser was riffled through, but the intruder ignored his wife's Pandora bracelet on the dresser next to the stainless steal urn, as well as his iPod Touch and laptop laying on the kitchen counter.

The urn is a box with a pewter picture frame on each side with the obituary, a picture of Ryan , a picture of Ryan with his brother, and a pictures of mother and son, Turnquist said.

"This is nuts, absolutely nuts," he said. "I don't know what kid of sick person would do this, but it's absolutely unbelievable."

While the medallion can be reformed by the funeral home, Turnquist said his wife is distraught that the one thing that can't be replaced was stolen from them — their son's ashes.

"Now my wife's biggest concern is if her son is going to be in the dumpster," he said. "So, it's just crushing. With her son's passing and it being Christmas. She's reliving all of that because she's losing him for a second time."

Waterford Township Police Sgt. Todd Hasselbach verified Saturday that the family had filed a report about the break-in.

"It's an open investigation," Hasselbach said, adding officers plan to interview several individuals about the incident.

"With the holidays and the memories everything is more personalized and it's understandable. We'll do our best."

Turnquist said authorities do not have any leads yet, but they collected a few items to examine for fingerprints.

"It's almost like it's a spite or hateful thing, but my wife doesn't have any enemies," he said. "We're totally stumped."

Hasselbach said anyone with information should call Waterford Township Police at (248) 674-0351

Staff writer Christine Ferretti contributed