THE parents of a stillborn baby have said they are devastated after thieves stole their baby's ashes in a home burglary.
Claire Smallwood from Belfast said she and her partner were 'devastated, angry and sickened' after their baby's ashes were stolen from a small wooden box by their bedside.
Their baby girl Holly was stillborn on November 13 2016 and her ashes were in a plastic bag in the wooden box which had family photos on it.
The burglary took place last night on Ballygomartin Road in north Belfast when someone entered the property between 6:15pm and 9:30pm and rifled through every room before fleeing with the clear plastic bag of Holly's ashes.
It is believed that the thieves may have thought her ashes were drugs.
Ms Smallwood said: "We our absolutely devastated, angry and sickened.
"We don't care about what ever sick person done this we just want our Holly back."
She added: "The worst thing about it is that when they realise what it is, and that it is no good to them, they will probably just throw it away like it's nothing, but it's everything to me.
"I feel like I have lost her twice and it feels even worse this time.
"The only hope I have is that someone sees our appeal and feels bad."
Ms Smallwood has asked that anyone who is out walking in the area keep an eye out for a small clear bag with a knot tied at the top, in case it has been discarded.
Inspector Paul Noble from the PSNI said: "Understandably, this has left the victim extremely distressed, therefore, we are appealing to whoever entered the property last night to please do the right thing and return the bag to police."
Police are also appealing to anyone who was in the Ballygomartin Road area last night between 6:15pm and 9:30pm and noticed any suspicious activity, or anyone who knows anything about this burglary, to contact police at Tennent Street on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference 1338 of 12/12/17.
Alternatively, information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
