Carmel Ardis is calling on thieves who stole her video camera to return the memory card which holds precious moments for the Delahey family. 73195 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
BY NATALIE GALLENTI
A HEARTBROKEN mother has pleaded with callous thieves to return the memory card of a video camera stolen from the family’s Delahey home earlier this month.
Carmel Ardis was left distraught after the family home was burgled over the Melbourne Cup long weekend. Sentimental jewellery including a cross from Italy and family heirlooms were stolen. However, it was the video camera which stored precious moments from the first years of her son’s life that she is desperately seeking.
Video on the card included her son Julian’s first steps, the first time he said “daddy” and moments when he would dance and sing to Bob the Builder.
Ms Ardis told Star of the moment she first realised the camera was gone and the sinking feeling in her stomach.
She recalled seeing muddy footprints leading to her bedroom and fearing the worst.
“When I knew the camera was gone I was gutted,” she said.
“Those are the things I can’t get back. It’s bad enough someone was in the house, but why did they have to take away these precious moments?”
The distressed mother pleaded with the thieves to keep the camera, but return the card.
“We’re beyond angry. We’re shocked that someone could be so callous.
“These precious moments have been taken away from my child.
“They need to do the right thing.”
What makes things worse is that she and husband Julian had not downloaded the video onto the computer, so the only images she can offer her son when he’s older are those taken by other family members.
“Julian is turning two next month, we still had his first birthday on there.”
