Mum: 'It's like she's died all over again'

Lin and Don McKellar have every reason to feel betrayed by the child who took advantage of their kindness and stole from them last week.

The 11-year-old boy had been in their Kaitaia home several times for prayer meetings, Mrs McKellar said. He knew that she and her husband had soft hearts; he knew that they still mourned the daughter they lost two years ago last Valentine's Day. And still he robbed them.

The boy, who got into the house by asking for a glass of water, got away with two wallets and the car keys. Police had recovered most of what was taken, but not one of the wallets. The one containing photos of Lani, and her driver's licence.

"It's like she's died all over again," a tearful Mrs McKellar said.

"I don't know why this boy would steal from us, and I don't know why he wouldn't let us have these precious photos back. They don't mean anything to him or anyone else."

Lani, who attended Pukenui and Ngataki schools, then Kaitaia College, fell ill when she was 18. She was not expected to live beyond the age of 25, but fought bravely, until early 2012. She was 34.

Anyone who found the photos would not be able to mistake them, Mrs McKellar said.

"She had such beautiful red hair. One of the photos was taken of her drinking through a straw when she was 14. Another was taken at her 21st, and there are three of her when she was 25."

Anyone who finds the photos is asked to return them via the Northland Age.

Meanwhile, Mrs McKellar said she had learned from her bitter experience.

"I won't open the door to anyone any more," she said.

"I leave a gap for the cat but everything else is locked.

"And you know, this boy inly had to ask and I would have given him anything he wanted and that I was able to give him. I just don't know why he did this."