Two-time Car Theft Victim, Kansas City Family Copes with Son’s Medical Challenge

Kansas City, Mo.—Family’s Car Stolen Twice

A family residing in Kansas City for their son’s medical intervention has been victimized twice by car theft. Denise Johnson, mother to Ethan—a two-time cancer survivor, is in deep shock and disbelief since her 2013 maroon Kia Optima was stolen for the second time.

The Johnsons come from Melvern, Kansas, which is situated between Ottawa and Emporia. Despite their son’s victorious bout against cancer twice, his ongoing health struggles require regular trips to the Children’s Mercy in Kansas City.

Unexpected Crime During a Medical Journey

The family was hopeful to return home this week following an extended stay in the city for Ethan’s treatment. However, fate had other plans. Denise discovered that her car was missing from the parking lot of Quality Inn and Suites on 35th Street and Main Street in Kansas City, Mo. This unfortunate event echoes a similar incident two months back when the same vehicle was stolen outside Ronald McDonald House near 25th Street and Cherry Street. It was later recovered and repaired.

The Ronald McDonald House theft took Johnson by surprise. She couldn’t fathom the repetition of the same unfortunate event. The mother said, “I thought, ‘Again? Did I park somewhere else?’ because the last thing you want to think is your car was stolen for a second time.”

Finding Strength in Despair

The last car theft incurred a repair cost of around $1,200. To make matters worse, the day the car was restored, it was vandalized. The driver’s door handle was ripped off, and the car was left scratched. The missing door handle is yet to be replaced, confining the driver to a tricky entry from the passenger side.

Johnson and her family are wrestling with the uncertainty of reclaiming their vehicle, and even if they do, they fear it may not be in a drivable state. Despite the looming worries, Johnson and her family remain resilient. She affirms, “We’re not a family that gives up, so we’ll keep charging forward,” adding, “It’s not like what they’ve done is going to crush us. Might cripple us for a bit, but we’ll keep going.”

In the wake of this incident, the Johnson family pleads with the public to alert Kansas City Police if anyone spots the 2013 maroon 4-door Kia Optima.

A City Strained by Crime Cases

This isn’t a standalone incident in Kansas City. Local authorities are grappling with various crime cases, including an overnight shooting that left a 17-year-old dead and another seriously injured. A historic Independence mansion also recently made news when an unexpected property dispute erupted. The new homeowner faced issues with former tenants refusing to vacate the mansion, adding to the city’s growing list of crime and societal issues.