Burglars hit home while family mourns toddler

updated 9:26 a.m. ET July 17, 2009

LEBANON, Ohio - Authorities in Ohio are looking for thieves who broke into a home while the family of a 2-year-old was at a funeral home preparing for the boy's services.

The sheriff's office in southwest Ohio's Warren County said the toddler died in an ATV accident last week. Deputies said the family was at a Waynesville funeral home with the body on Friday when their home was burglarized.

Family members reported that the burglars got by two dogs and broke in the back door. They took an antique gun and some jewelry.

Detectives said they were "outraged" over the break-in at the home of a grieving family.

According to local TV station WKRC, Levi was riding on the ATV with his dad when he apparently tried to stand up.  The ATV flipped on its side while his father struggled to keep Levi in his seat.  Deputies believe Levi and his father were not wearing helmets.

Jewelry stolen
The family made arrangements for Levi at Stubbs Conner Funeral home in Waynesville and while they were at the services, four men drive up to the family's home and minutes later sped away, witnesses said. Detectives said the thieves busted in through the back door then took a gun and several pieces of jewelry and gold baby booties.

Detectives told WKRC''s Jessica Donnellon: "For a thief to victimize someone this way that's dealing with a death of a child is lower than low and just unspeakable."

The last thing most people think about when planning funeral is protecting their home, police said.  But they said it's always a good idea to have someone keep an eye on the house.

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