Stolen wheelchair returned to special-needs boy in Ohio; theft had garnered national attention

11/15/2013

CLEVELAND — Someone has returned a wheelchair that had been stolen from a 9-year-old special needs boy in northeast Ohio.

Stephen Gibson’s special green chair with wheels that light up was swiped from the back of the family’s minivan in Cleveland last weekend. It apparently had been used by thieves to cart away food stolen from a refrigerator and freezer in their garage.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that the wheelchair turned up at a district police station Thursday night.

Stephen’s mother, Barbara Gibson, said the chair is “a little rickety” and needs some repairs, but they are thrilled to have it back. Stephen uses it because he has cerebral palsy and scoliosis.

The theft had garnered national attention and multiple offers of help from around the country.