An American teenage amputee whose prosthetic leg was stolen has recovered the artificial limb after it was apparently placed in her yard by a remorseful thief, police said on Friday.
In November, burglars broke into the Los Angeles area home of 16-year-old Melissa Huff, stealing money and other valuables, including her prosthetic leg, which was specially made with a flexible foot to allow her to play softball.
Huff lost her right leg two years ago when a driver lost control of his car and ploughed into her as she stood on the pavement in front of her Los Angeles-area school.
The teen found the leg on Thursday in the family home’s yard in Temple City, north-east of Los Angeles.
Police Sergeant David Austin, of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, told KCAL9 television that the leg was ”just thrown probably over the fence in the backyard area”.
”Who knows whether they felt bad or they just wanted to get rid of it, because somebody, somewhere would have information as to who took it and where it’s been,” Austin said.
Huff recovered the leg just ahead of the softball season, the television reported.
Police are holding the leg for now, hoping to collect fingerprints. — Sapa-AFP