Washington woman finds boy who left $5, heartbreaking apology note

The heartbreaking note that was left at the stranger's door. Photo / Facebook, Chrissy Marie

A woman has found a young boy who left a heart-breaking note on her doorstep after stealing one of her wind chimes because it reminded him and his sister of their dead mother.

The boy, who gave his name only as Jake, also left a $5 bill to replace the ornament.

Christina Reitz, from Lakewood, Washington, was trying to find him to return the money and give him another one of the chimes so that he and his sister can each have one.

She launched a Facebook appeal to track him down on a local group on March 3, sharing a photograph of Jake's note.

Reitz was connected with the boy's family after his aunt came forward on Facebook on Thursday, and Reitz said she expects to meet him soon.

The note left by Jake read: "I am sorry that we stole your wind chime our mom died and liked butterflies so my sister took it to put by our window I am sorry this is only money I have please do not be mad at us, Jake."

Reitz said that she understands the children's pain because she also lost her mother at a young age, reported USA Today.

She said to the news organisation: "They are grieving, and everything is overwhelming for them.

"He did try to make things right, and I do forgive him. I'm not going to hold a grudge for a wind chime that was less than $5."

Sharing the first Facebook post, Reitz wrote under the Facebook account Chrissy Marie: "Well Jake, I'm not sure who you are but you can come get your money back sweetie.

"I had 3 of those wind chimes, you can come back get your money back and have one also so both of you have your own.

"I am not mad. Please come over to my house."

She was inundated with messages of support and requests from other Facebook users to keep them updated as she searched for the boy.

And she set up a Facebook page called Jakes Butterflies to keep people updated.

She has also set up a GoFundMe to raise money for the family.

"I don't even know the age of the kid but I don't want him to be scared to come forward or embarrassed,' she told King 5.

"There are caring people out there and I want them to know that. There is forgiveness," she said.