Cop steps up after Grinch stole Christmas decorations

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    CANTON, N.C. (WLOS) — The Grinch who stole Christmas decor sparked a wave of good deeds for a family that’s been through a lot this past year.

The Rathbone family reported two inflatables, featuring Santa, Rudolph and a snowman, were stolen overnight Wednesday from their front yard off Star Ridge Road.

Four-year-old Declan Rathbone explained the gravity of the situation to authorities.

“It kind of broke my heart a little bit, because he looked out and said, ‘Somebody took my Santa Claus,’” Canton Police officer Ryan Adams said.

After hearing those words, Adams bought a replacement for the Santa and Rudolph piece with his own money.

“My faith in humanity was gone for just a minute when all this happened,” Declan’s dad Wesley Rathbone said.

“I wanted to tell you thank you for everything,” Wesley Rathbone told Adams personally. “The smile on his face means more than what you think it does.”

“I’m glad I could help out put a smile on somebody’s face,” Adams replied.

The fact that a callous crook targeted their holiday display left the family deflated. After all Declan’s been through, his parents want this to be the best Christmas ever for their son.

“I was just so upset, we’ve been having a rough year and everything,” Wesley Rathbone told News 13.

In 2019, Declan’s spent 126 days in the hospital. He receives daily treatments to prevent dehydration.

“He’s had six surgeries in five months. The big one that they did, they found a 10- inch abscess in the stomach and they took out his appendix and part of his colon,” Declan’s father said.

Since the theft, Wesley Rathbone has taken steps to make sure the culprit knows he didn’t win.

His neighbor made a sign that reads, “The Grinch can’t steal our Christmas Spirit.”

“Whoever it is drives by, they can see it. Just know you didn’t crush our Christmas spirit,” he said.

Over the weekend, a family friend gave them a snowman inflatable to replenish their front yard winter wonderland that already includes Olaf from “Frozen” and a Christmas tree.

“Christmas tree, are you giving him a hug? Awesome man!” Wesley Rathbone said to his little boy.

When it comes to their collection, the more the merrier.

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