SARASOTA, Fla. — A Tampa Bay mother is hoping for a holiday miracle as she prepares to spend her first Thanksgiving without her child or the special memento she wore in his honor.
Jaclyn Burke tells ABC Action News she recently lost a necklace featuring her late son’s thumbprint and birthstone.
It happened during a walk in downtown Sarasota.
Burke believes it fell somewhere along Main Street or Orange Avenue.
“I’m shocked,” said Burke. “I’m trying not to beat myself up about it but I’m mad at myself because I know how much it means to me.”
Burke’s 9-year-old son, Noah, died in April due to Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, a brain dysfunction that occurs when the brain does not receive enough oxygen or blood flow.
Burke says the piece of jewelry was a constant reminder of the love they shared.
“I miss him every day,” said Burke. “He’s everything.”
Burke’s story caught the attention of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, who posted to their Facebook page on Wednesday stating in part, “We don’t typically “share” personal posts but this one hits close to home and we want to help however we can.”
