The loss of a child is an indescribable pain. I could not imagine what it must feel like to have your baby pass before you do. Although, for this military family, their six-month-old baby boy passed away. And then, as if any more could possibly go wrong, their infant son’s ashes were stolen.
Moving their family
Ben and Kassandra Benton and their two beautiful daughters prepared to move to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. Also with them, the ashes of their baby boy, Wyatt.
Wyatt died not long after he was born in 2015, and ever since, his parents kept his ashes in an urn, which had a special place in their home. Wyatt was also their miracle baby, being born despite Kassandra undergoing cancer treatment that could have rendered her unable to have children.[1]
“I went to the hospital not feeling well and found out I was pregnant, It was crazy. I ended up having him early at 24 weeks at home. My husband delivered him. I ended up hemorrhaging and he wasn’t breathing on his own.
He fought for his life in the NICU for five months until he got a brain infection. We ended up taking him to the hospice where he passed away.”
Kassandra Benton
While their precious baby was gone, he would never be forgotten.
Read: Mom Giving Birth in the Red Sea Goes Down as One of the Coolest Water Births
Infant son’s ashes stolen
Fast forward to March 2nd this year, the couple and their daughters packed up their U-Haul with all they owned. Undoubtedly, this including their infant son’s ashes.[2]
Finally, they made their first stop at La Quinta Inn in Covington. Kassandra recalls how the trip had been quite tough, as she was not feeling well.
This is when their trip became a nightmare.
“I went outside around 7 or 8 that morning and was on the phone with one of my good buddies. I looked up and was like ‘the U-Haul — where is it? Oh my god, the U-Haul is gone.'”
Benton Benton
Kassandra added:
“It didn’t hit me that our stuff was gone, it hit me that our son’s ashes were in there. That was the first thing I realized — Wyatt was gone.”
“His handprints that we had were in there, his footprints,” Kassandra continued. We had a molding of his hand. We had just everything you could get from a baby that you’re losing to have memories of him that you can keep. It was all in there.”
Kassandra Benton
U-Haul found, without infant son’s ashes
Then, on Thursday, the couple received the news that their U-haul had been found. A mere 30 minutes away from their pitstop. Consequently, Kasandra posted the following on Facebook:
“Ben woke me up this morning with the news our U-HAUL was found and my heart jumped with excitement. I knew our staff would be gone, but that’s not what I cared about.
All I kept asking is when will we know? When can we go look for ourselves? When do we FaceTime to see… and then the devastation hit again.
Wyatt wasn’t left in the truck. He’s still out there. Someone, somewhere has him. And I beg you, return him. Find a gas station, a Walmart, a Chick-fil-A, I don’t care, just not a garbage can.”
Kassandra Benton
Couple remains hopeful
Despite the tragic news of their son’s ashes not being in the U-Haul, it has not left them without hope. They continue searching and hope that their chances of finding their infant son’s ashes will increase as their story spreads.[3]
“We have been abundantly blessed by the help of complete strangers who are all a part of our family now.
Everyone who is helping us, and will help us, and is offering WE THANK YOU. And we thank EVERYONE who is sharing our story and getting the word out so that Wyatt is found and back where he’s supposed to be.”
Kassandra Benton
Keep Reading: “All My Friends Have Passed Away:” Lonely 90-Year-Old Sends Heartbreaking Letter to Her Neighbor Seeking Her Friendship
Sources
- “Family Begs for Return of Son’s Ashes After Having U-Haul Stolen.” Western Journal. Amanda Thomason. March 6, 2021.
- “Military family begs for their infant son’s ashes to be returned after U-Haul stolen.” Today. Kate Hanson. March 5, 2021.
- Facebook.