Family of Roswell burn victim says thieves robbed them at hospital

ATLANTA — The family of a young man who was severely burned in a home explosion in Roswell last month say someone stole personal items from them at Grady Memorial Hospital, where he is being treated.

Channel 2's Tyisha Fernandes visited the Grady burn unit, where police say two men took items from a private family room.

Fernandes obtained surveillance video, which clearly shows the two men rifling through the family room. A code is needed to get into the space, which is why Patrick Sammons' parents didn't think anyone would steal from them.

Sammons is still recovering after being burned over 80 percent of his body in a gas explosion at his home on June 12.

His parents have been at his bedside constantly since the accident.

Kathy Sammons, his mother, told Fernandes she's wondering how the suspects got in and who would do this at such an emotional time.

"We’re just like what next – ya know?" Gannon told Fernandes over a phone call. She didn't want to leave her son's bedside to be interviewed. "That was pretty low. To prey on (us.)"

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Sammons  said they have been at Grady every day since the June accident, which also injured Gannon's two roommates. She said she and Patrick's father have been taking turns tending to their son to give each other a break.

But on Saturday, July 7, both parents were in their son's room. Police say the two thieves aaw the father's bag unattended. They first took a phone and a laptop but then took grabbed the whole bag and one that belonged to another family.

Sammons is upset they took her son's phone, which she say has been helping him stay positive through painful treatments.

"We had brought the phone in order to connect to Spotify account because when they do wound care its pretty painful and they like to play music," Gannon said.

Fernandes reached out to officials, who said they've stepped up security. They hope the clear surveillance video will help someone identify the suspects.

Cox Media Group