Mother Pleads for Return of Van

Deanna Rock has severe brain damage, on a ventilator and struggles for every breath. She is only 11 years old and is now stuck at home.

The Rancho Cucamonga child and her family are facing another struggle as their speciality van was stolen from their Milano driveway, Wednesday night.

"If the van's not recovered, I don't know what means we will use to replace it," says Jennifer Rock, Deanna's mother.

The van was filled with ramps, oxygen tanks and special harnesses to hold Deanna’s wheelchair in place. The cost of the Rock's van was $60,000; money that came from little Deanna's medical trust fund.

In other words, the van is almost irreplaceable, according to Julie Rock, Deanna's grandmother.

"It's not something you can get overnight. This last one took six to eight months just to get," Deanna's grandmother said.

Police are investigating, but in the meantime, Deanna is confined to her bed and unable to make medical appointment or family gatherings.

According to authorities, several other wheelchair accessible vans have been stolen over the past six months, possibly for the hydraulics.

Deanna was a toddler when she suffered complications from a severe respiratory virus. She stopped breathing after being released from the hospital. At that time, her prognosis was death. But Deanna's family says, "she's a fighter."

Now, they're asking the thieves to simply return the van; no questions asked.

"Please return the van, or contact the authorities," said Deanna's mom. "My daughter truly needs this van for her daily living needs."

The van has California plates 8A79949.

Anyone spotting the van is asked the call the San Bernardino Sheriff's Department at 909-387-8313.