RIVERDALE, Utah — A porch thief stole a package from a Utah family’s home Monday, but it wasn’t a Christmas present.
It was a package for a 4-year-old boy, whose lifesaving medication he has taken after a kidney transplant is delivered by mail.
The three-month supply of medication costs approximately $5,000, KSTU reported. The boy's father, a single parent, now worries about replacing the medicine in time for his son.
Cody Taylor said he has had medication delivered to his porch “for years” and had never had a problem receiving the parcels for his son, Austin Taylor.
“He’s my little miracle. He's my hero. Because of everything he's gone through, I can't complain about life,” Taylor said.
Austin was born with several severe birth defects. Doctors weren't sure he'd survive, especially since he has been struggling with Stage 5 kidney failure since birth.
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“They gave him a 25 percent chance of living three months,” Taylor said.
That was four years ago.
“He's so strong and always fighting,” Cody told KSTU.
Austin received a kidney transplant two years ago.
“It was a huge relief because we knew he wasn't in kidney failure anymore and that upped his life expectancy and health by so much,” Taylor told KSTU.
Because of the transplant, Austin takes medicine so his body doesn't reject the kidney. Taylor got a notification this week that a new dose was delivered.
“Usually as I get that I expect to see the boxes as I pull up, but there was nothing there,” Taylor told KSTU.
The package had been stolen, and Taylor fretted that his insurance would not cover the costs of replacing the medicine.
“Luckily, my SUV is paid off. I was prepared to take out a loan and pay for the medication outright,” Taylor told KSTU.
The insurance company worked with Taylor to have the replacement costs covered. Meanwhile, a company called The Porch Locker donated a lockbox to secure future deliveries. Taylor said he was overwhelmed by “so much love and support.” But he has a message for the medicine thief.
“You don't know who you're hurting by your actions. It could range from ruining someone’s Christmas to threatening someone's life.” Taylor said. “You just never know.”
Cox Media Group
