PORTLAND, Ore. — The family of a young man battling bone cancer is hoping someone will come across his stolen prosthetic leg.
Doctors diagnosed Atticus Root with cancer at the age of 13. The next year, they removed his left lower leg and knee to save his life after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
His uncle, Joshua Veldstra, said Atticus was finally getting used to his prosthetic leg, knee and running blade when someone broke into his car in downtown Portland Dec. 8 and took the prosthetics.
“They messed with the steering column and popped the trunk,” said Veldstra. “His leg was in the trunk, which got stolen with some of his work equipment, like his welding bag he had for work.”
Police confirmed the theft, which happened in the area of Southwest 11th Avenue and Southwest Columbia Street. The leg, knee and running blade are worth around $8,000, according to Crime Stoppers of Oregon.
Veldstra and his wife set up a fundraising page with GoFundMe to raise money for a new prosthetic, but he said the family is still hoping for the return of the custom-made leg.
“It’s super important for his work and everything to have it,” Veldstra said, “so he doesn’t have to be walking on crutches and has both hands to use during work.”
KGW first met Atticus and his mother in 2019 while he was receiving chemotherapy after his amputation. At that time, Atticus said, “It wasn’t that hard of a decision to make. It was my life, or an amputation.”
Atticus’s mother said the prosthetic leg and knee were fitted to his socket. To replace the set of parts, the family estimates it will cost more than $8,000.
“He was starting to feel better about everything with his leg,” said Veldstra, “…It's like a he-can't-catch-a-break type of situation."
Crime Stoppers of Oregon said Wednesday that it is offering a cash reward that leads to the recovery of the stolen leg. Secure and anonymous tips can be left at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com or through the app, P3 tips.
