A thief stole nearly $2,000 worth of critical seizure medication from the wheelchair of a terminally ill three-year-old at the Texas State Fair, leaving his mother terrified about what could happen if he suffered an emergency seizure.
Devin Cervantes, who has stage IV brain cancer and is now receiving hospice care, had been enjoying a rare family day out when a stranger took his mother’s purse from the back of his wheelchair.
The purse contained two emergency medications for Devin, as well as about $1,500 in cash. His single mother, Kayla Price, was suddenly left scrambling to replace the drugs her son depends on.
The theft took place at about 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, during the family’s visit to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. Price had briefly turned her attention to her older son.
When she turned back toward Devin, her purse was gone.
“The potential of my son having a seizure and me not having that medication … it sucks,” Price told Fox 4.
“I could lose everything because of someone’s careless act. It really hurts because I would do anything for my baby.”
The family had chosen to attend the fair after Devin enjoyed an especially good day. For them, the outing offered a rare moment of happiness after months marked by exhausting cancer treatment.
Three-year-old Devin Cervantes, who is battling terminal stage IV brain cancer, had his vital seizure medication stolen from the back of his wheelchair during a family outing in Texas
Heartbroken mother Kayla Price broke down in tears as she described how a thief snatched her purse containing nearly $2,000 worth of medication needed to treat her terminally ill son
Although he has undergone six rounds of chemotherapy and has been placed in hospice care, Devin remains a joyful child who loves to sing, dance and make others smile.
Instead of ending as a happy evening with his mother and siblings, the family outing became distressing when Price realized the purse she had placed behind Devin’s wheelchair had disappeared.
The missing medication is used to control Devin’s seizures and would cost roughly $2,000 to replace. Its loss is particularly alarming because of the child’s already fragile medical condition.
Price filed a report with the Dallas Police Department and made an emotional plea for the person responsible to return the stolen items.
“I hope, I really wish you had it in your heart to return everything,” she said through tears. “You don’t know the pain that you’re causing me or my kids who you’re hurting. Just give it all back.”
Dallas police are asking anyone who knows anything about the theft to contact authorities.
The incident adds another painful chapter to a family already struggling through a childhood cancer battle.
In a heartbreaking GoFundMe appeal posted in July, Price said Devin’s illness had continued to worsen despite extensive treatment.
Despite undergoing six rounds of chemotherapy and 45 radiation treatments, little Devin continues to smile through his devastating illness, even as brain tumor has continued to grow
Kayla Price spoke to Fox 4 about the horrifying moment she discovered her purse had vanished after briefly turning away from her son’s wheelchair to attend to her older child
Devin, who has recently been placed in hospice care, relies on emergency medication to treat seizures. The drugs he depends on were stolen during their visit to the Texas State Fair
‘Hi, my name is Kayla, and I’m a single mom asking for help for my sweet three-year-old son, Devin has stage IV terminal brain cancer,’ she wrote.
‘At just three years old, Devin has already faced more than most people do in a lifetime.’
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She explained that her son had undergone six months of chemotherapy and 45 radiation treatments, only for doctors to deliver the crushing news that his tumor was still growing.
The family was forced to uproot their lives and move away from their home and support network so Devin could receive specialized medical treatment.
The relocation created enormous financial and emotional pressures, with Price struggling to cover medical expenses, housing, travel and everyday necessities while caring for her children.
But even as his health has deteriorated, Devin’s joyful personality has remained a source of comfort.
‘Despite everything he’s going through, Devin is still the happiest little boy,’ his mother wrote.
‘He loves dancing, Spider-Man, SpongeBob, and making everyone around him smile.’
‘He has the sweetest heart, is incredibly friendly, and has a way of lighting up every room he enters. To know Devin is to love him.’
Single mother Kayla Price has been fighting to give her son every possible chance of survival, even moving away from her home so he could receive specialized cancer treatment
Despite his terminal diagnosis, Devin remains a happy little boy who loves Spider-Man, SpongeBob and dancing. His mother says she is determined to create precious memories
Heartbreaking images show Devin undergoing medical monitoring as he battles stage IV brain cancer. His mother revealed that his tumor continued growing despite months of treatment
Price said she remains determined to explore every possible medical option, including seeking a second opinion from another specialist.
‘As his mom, all I want is to give him every possible chance,’ she wrote.
‘I never want to look back and wonder if there was something else we could have tried.’
She also described her determination to create lasting memories.
‘I want to spend every precious moment making memories with Devin and his siblings instead of constantly worrying about how I’m going to pay the next medical bill, travel expenses, housing costs, utilities, groceries, or other everyday necessities,’ she explained.
‘Being a single mom, the financial burden has become overwhelming, but I refuse to stop fighting for my little boy.’
Amid the heartbreak of the theft, an unexpected act of generosity offered the family a glimmer of hope.
Devin Cervantes is pictured, left, under going treatment for terminal brain cancer. His mother has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help cover medical bills
A tender photograph shows Devin sleeping alongside the family dog. His mother says she wants to spend every precious moment making memories with her son than worry about bills
Brave little Devin is pictured smiling and clapping in his wheelchair. His mother says the youngster still loves to sing and dance despite his devastating illness
Chris Bailey, who runs the Facebook community Everybody Loves Everybody, learned about Devin’s plight.
Determined to help, Bailey offered to donate $2,000 toward replacing the stolen medication.
‘Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward Devin’s medical expenses, travel for second opinions and treatments, maintaining a stable place for our family while we’re away from home, everyday living expenses, and creating meaningful memories together during this incredibly difficult time,’ Price wrote in her appeal.
