A New York woman is accused of stealing from an 8-year-old girl who suffered severe burns and lost her immediate family in an arson fire.
Kimberly Bradford, 41, was a volunteer at an organization set up to help Safyre Terry, who received severe burns in the 2013 blaze, which killed her father, sister and two brothers. Safyre became well-known last year after her wish to receive enough Christmas cards to fill up a card holder went viral.
More than a million people all over the world ― including the Obama family, Katy Perry and Beyonce ― sent cards and gifts to Safyre, inspired by the girl’s bravery and positive attitude. A volunteer group, Safyre’s Angels, formed for the purpose of sorting through the cards and packages ― many of which contained cash or gift cards ― and sending thank-you’s to the senders when possible.
But in late January, the group contacted police in Rotterdam, New York, saying they suspected volunteers were stealing gifts intended for Safyre, local news station ABC News 10 reports.
Volunteers had been instructed not to bring any of Safyre’s mail home, but investigators say they found bins of mail at Bradford’s residence containing $800 in cash and $550 in gift cards, according to ABC News.
Bradford was arrested on charges of fourth-degree grand larceny, and will appear in court March 10.
Safyre’s Angels declined to comment to The Huffington Post for this story.
