FOREST PARK, Ga. — A metro homeless shelter has its stolen van back, but not before someone gutted the vehicle for parts.
Shelter workers say the van is critical to their operations.
The shelter's director told Channel 2's Jessica Jaglois she was on her way to pick up several children in need, but the van was gone.
The dozen homeless children then had to walk a mile from day care back to the shelter.
"It's hard to see someone take advantage of the less fortunate and that's what we are here," said Tawana Tarno.
For the past 15 years, Tarno has used the van to drive Clayton County's homeless children to day care, doctor's appointments and job interviews.
But now the inside of the '97 Ford Club Wagon is in shambles.
"They just gutted it. They took all the seats out so now the children won't be riding in the van," Tarno said.
Tarno told Jaglois that thieves stole the vehicle from a spot outside of the Calvary Refuge Center where it always remained for 15 years when it wasn't being used.
On Thursday, she went to take the van to pick up 12 children from day care.
"It's used often and it's a very needed necessity so when we looked out there, it was gone. So the children had to walk a mile from day care back to the homeless shelter," Tarno said.
Friday afternoon, Tarno got a glimmer of hope when Forest Park police called saying they found the van abandoned in a Norcross apartment complex.
But it was almost undrivable.
"They took the dashboard and tore it off and where the key should be, we had to crank it with a screwdriver today," Tarno said.
The shelter has kept up maintenance on the van to make sure it never breaks down, which would let down children who already have so little.
"We've never, ever had any vandalism at Calvary and this was the first and it was a heartache," Tarno said.
Fortunately, another church has loaned a van to Calvary Refuge Center while they figure out how much it will cost to either repair or replace the van.
If you would like to help the shelter, you can call them at 404-361-5309. You can also contact them through the shelter's website.
WSBTV
