David Chang

Thief Steals Mayfair Man's Prosthetic Leg

A Philadelphia father of six is pleading for the thief who stole his prosthetic leg to give it back.

Michael Stauffer, 45, had his leg amputated after he suffered a bone infection that required 29 surgeries. Six months ago however, his insurance paid for a titanium leg that allowed him to comfortably move around.

On June 7 at 2:30 p.m., someone stole the leg when it was inside a moving van that was parked in front of Stauffer’s house on the 4000 block of Shelmire Avenue in the Mayfair section of the city.

“I had it all in a duffel bag and it’s the leg, the socket, the sleeve and all the screws,” Stauffer said. “How can you do that to somebody that’s disabled? One leg?”

Stauffer says he is now forced to move on his knees in order to get around as police continue to search for the culprit.

“I just don’t like getting around like this,” Stauffer said. “This is pretty much embarrassing.”

Stauffer told NBC10 his insurance won’t pay for a replacement for the expensive prosthetic which is worth $28,000. He’s now begging the person who stole it to return it.

“I wish they would just give it back,” he said. “I won’t press charges. I need that leg.”

If you have any information on the incident, please call Philadelphia Police.

Stauffer is collecting money through a GoFundMe page as he tries to raise enough money to get a new leg.

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