Thieves Steal From Young Cancer Patient

Eric Braddock hasn't had an easy year.

In January 2008, when he was just nine years old, a doctor discovered a six inch mass in his chest. He was diagnosed with Hodgkin Lymphoma and sent to St. Jude Children's Hospital for several months.

"The hardest thing in the world is hearing your child has cancer," says Keith Braddock, Eric's dad.

Eric still receives chemo therapy every week, but he's trying his best to live just like any other kid. His one wish when he was sick in the hospital was to go hunting.

"While he was at St. Jude he told me he wanted to go hunting," says Braddock, who bought his son a 243 Thompsom Cinted Encore for Christmas last year. Eric also saved up his own money to by a Gamo Air Rifle.

"I saved up all my money from my birthday and everything. I got it so I could shoot squirrels," says Eric.

But, the next hunting trip will have to wait. Some thieves, who broke into the Braddock family's home on Coleman Dairy Road East Thursday evening, stole both of Eric's guns. The thieves also stole a Wii game system, Wii games, a camera and some cash, but it's the guns that mean the most.

"I hope they have a heart," says Braddock in a passionate plea to the thieves. "I'd love to have the guns back," he says.

Keith Braddock says the thieves also broke into two of their neighbor's homes. A witness said they saw a red pickup truck and a small red car at each of the burglaries.

Anyone with information should call the Mobile County Sheriff's Office.