It has been a roller-coaster of emotions for 9-year-old Ayden Mayle and his family over the past few days after a heartless theft in Canton.
Someone stole the boy’s custom-made $4,000 wheelchair from the front porch of his home on 11th Street SW on either Sunday or Monday.
The community responded with an outpouring of support and donations.
On Thursday afternoon, there was a new twist in the case when the wheelchair was returned but damaged.
News 5 Family members describe Ayden as a friendly fourth grader who loves bugs and turtles.
“He’s very outgoing. He’s bright. He just loves life. He’s like any other normal 9-year-old,” said his cousin Chelsy Johns.
However, Ayden faces extra challenges. He has spina bifida and relies heavily on that customized wheelchair.
“His legs don’t work — like his thighs do — but his feet, he can’t move his feet, so that’s why he uses the wheelchair to move around,” Johns said. “He does wear braces, but it’s hard for him to walk.”
Ayden’s mother, Paulette Taylor, was outraged when someone snatched the wheelchair from just outside their home.