Family offers forgiveness to thieves who broke into home

An Edmonton familyis extending forgiveness and assistance to the thieves who broke into theirCastle Downs home on Dec. 7.

Melissa and Leighton Sealey and their children, Addison and Grace-Anne, returned home around 9 p.m. Monday last week, only to find their new home had been robbed just two days after they'd moved in.

"What upsets us the most is the fact that we had been in there for two days," Leighton Sealey told CBC Edmonton AM radio show host Mark Connolly Tuesday.

"And someone had broke in there, and that feeling of feeling safe anymore (was gone)."

Added Melissa: "We want the people that stole from us to know we're not upset with them."

At first, they didn't realize what had happened.

The back door and some windows were broken, receipts were on the floor; the inside of their home looked weird, Leighton said.

In the kitchen, the refrigerator and freezer doors were left open, but the house was not turned upside down.

Police saidthe robbers probably removed their footwear before entering the house because the floors weren't soiled.

Not a great deal was stolen: a keyboard, guitars, jewelry and some food. But a camera containingvaluable SD cards wastaken, leaving Melissa and Leighton in a tailspin.

The cardscontainpictures of their kids Addison's heart surgery and Grace-Anne's birth preciousfamily images that cannot be replaced. Thosearethe only items the couple wants returned.

In hopes of getting the SD cards back, Melissa has blitzed social media and online classifieds, hoping someone will come forward with them.

During this ordeal Melissa has remained sympathetic towards the thieves, especially since they stole frozen chicken, french fries, ketchup, bread and sausage from the kitchen. She understands their plight.

"Right now a lot of people are losing their jobs, and money's tight. They took food, and that to us was a clue, in that this was someone that was desperate.They needed stuff."

Both Melissa and Leighton saidthey would not press charges if the robbers were caught.

"If you rang my doorbell this afternoon, I would not call the police on you," Melissa said. "I just want the cards back, and I would love to help you, given that it's Christmas. I can get you some turkey, whatever, gifts for your kids.

"We're Edmontoniansand we're loving people. I'm hoping this will be a testimony to that."

The family had moved from the country to Edmonton, feeling a bit nervous about their new big-city surroundings before their arrival. The robbery didn't helps things, Leighton said.

But their neighbours have been friendly, generous and empathetic.

Some have even delivered food to the Sealey household.