Northern Ireland

Mother tells how daughter's ashes were stolen in north Belfast burglary

Claire Smallwood described how thieves stole her baby's ashes during a burglary at her home 
Claire Smallwood described how thieves stole her baby's ashes during a burglary at her home  Claire Smallwood described how thieves stole her baby's ashes during a burglary at her home 

A YOUNG mother has appealed to thieves who stole the ashes of her baby daughter to "have a heart" and return the remains.

A distraught Claire Smallwood (26) said the ashes of baby daughter Holly, who was stillborn in November last year, had been kept in a box surrounded by pictures beside her bed at her home off the Ballygomartin Road in west Belfast.

A clear bag containing Holly's ashes was stolen - but not the personalised box in which they were enclosed - from the room sometime between 6.15pm and 9.30pm on Tuesday.

Ms Smallwood, who lives with her partner Paddy and 12-week-old son Jonah, said she believes those responsible may have mistaken the bag for drugs.

The family have lived at the home for around a year.

"Initially I thought it was someone trying to hurt me. I am not a bad person and I have not done anything to anybody," she said.

"The pregnancy itself was horrendous, and then I had a stillbirth, and any woman who has gone through that knows it is the worst thing anyone can go through. This feels like I am going through it all again."

Upon returning home, she saw two boxes of nappies lying in the hallway and wardrobes and drawers opened.

Although a money box in the kitchen had been opened in an apparent search for cash, the burglars did not take any other items, despite the fact they would have come across Christmas presents.

"They took effort to pull nappies out down the stairs, I don't understand that. Nothing else was actually taken," she said.

Ms Smallwood said she "doesn't care about the person" responsible for the theft and simply wants the ashes of her first child to be returned.

"It means nothing to anyone. I don't even want to think about what they would do with them," she said.

"I am asking them to put themselves in my shoes and have a heart. I don't know if they have kids. I think it is someone young and stupid but I didn't think anyone could stoop that low.

"Whoever has it, they don't have to hand themselves in. Make it known to someone. I don't care about the person who did it. I just want them to give me back my daughter," added Ms Smallwood.

DUP councillor Frank McCoubrey said the theft was an "absolute disgrace" and urged anyone with information to contact police.

"There were a series of homes that were burgled last year and I hope that this is not re-emerging," he said.

PSNI Inspector Paul Noble said: "Understandably, this has left the victim extremely distressed, therefore, we are appealing to whoever entered the property to please do the right thing and return the bag to police."

Police have appealed for anyone with information to contact officers on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The box that baby Holly's ashes were kept in
The box that baby Holly's ashes were kept in The box that baby Holly's ashes were kept in