'Can't catch a break': Young man with bone cancer has prosthetic leg stolen in Portland

Atticus Root, diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 13, said someone broke into his car and made off with his prosthetic leg, knee and running blade.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The family of a young man battling bone cancer is hoping someone will come across his stolen prosthetic leg.

Atticus Root was diagnosed with cancer by doctors when he was 13 years old. In the following year, in an effort to save his life from osteosarcoma, his left lower leg and knee were surgically removed.

Doctors diagnosed Atticus Root with cancer at the age of 13. The next year, they removed his left lower leg and knee to save his life after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.

His uncle, Joshua Veldstra, said Atticus was finally getting used to his prosthetic leg, knee and running blade when someone broke into his car in downtown Portland Dec. 8 and took the prosthetics.

“They messed with the steering column and popped the trunk,” said Veldstra. “His leg was in the trunk, which got stolen with some of his work equipment, like his welding bag he had for work.”

Police confirmed the theft, which happened in the area of Southwest 11th Avenue and Southwest Columbia Street. The leg, knee and running blade are worth around $8,000, according to Crime Stoppers of Oregon. 

Veldstra and his wife set up a fundraising page with GoFundMe to raise money for a new prosthetic, but he said the family is still hoping for the return of the custom-made leg.

“It’s super important for his work and everything to have it,” Veldstra said, “so he doesn’t have to be walking on crutches and has both hands to use during work.”

KGW first met Atticus and his mother in 2019 while he was receiving chemotherapy after his amputation. At that time, Atticus said, “It wasn’t that hard of a decision to make. It was my life, or an amputation.”

Atticus’s mother said the prosthetic leg and knee were fitted to his socket. To replace the set of parts, the family estimates it will cost more than $8,000.

“He was starting to feel better about everything with his leg,” said Veldstra, “…It’s like a he-can’t-catch-a-break type of situation.” 

Crime Stoppers of Oregon said Wednesday that it is offering a cash reward that leads to the recovery of the stolen leg. Secure and anonymous tips can be left at www.crimestoppersoforegon.com or through the app, P3 tips.


You May Also Like

Two individuals, one of whom is a juvenile boy, are apprehended by the police in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred in the vicinity of Park Lane Elementary School in Aurora.

In Aurora, two individuals were apprehended by police on Friday, one of…

Investigation by 3News: Family of Cargill salt mine accident victim seeks justice

Greg Sychla was crushed by a 43-ton loader last year at the…

Potential threat to numerous court orders against the Trump administration due to recent high court decision regarding injunctions

WASHINGTON – The recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court restricting federal…

The Akron Zoo is excited about the arrival of a rare white-cheeked gibbon.

Akron Zoo officials say the baby ‘is doing well, and its sex…

A 21-year-old motorcyclist was taken into custody following an accident that resulted in the death of a passenger and closed the southbound lanes of I-25 in Denver.

In Denver, a motorcyclist was taken into custody after being involved in…

Alleycats & Aristocats Celebrates Grand Reopening in Medina County this Sunday

Alleycats & Aristocats is holding a reopening celebration on Sunday, June 29…

Reasons for Potential Introduction of New Execution Methods in Florida

In Tallahassee, Florida, starting next month, the state will have the option…

Charges Filed Against Suspect in Shooting of Aultman Hospital Employee by Canton Police

James Flair has been charged with three counts of felonious assault and…

Lawsuit filed by environmental organizations to halt Florida detention center dubbed ‘Alligator Alcatraz’

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Environmental groups have taken legal action by filing a…

“Israeli airstrikes in Gaza claim lives of 49 people amid ongoing uncertainty over ceasefire negotiations”

The strikes come as U.S. President Donald Trump says there could be…

Canton Police Investigate Suspicious Circumstances in Disappearance of 26-Year-Old Ryan Godbey

Ryan Godbey’s last contact with family members was on June 19 and…

A ‘blast’ shakes Sanford area following a house catching fire

A residence in Sanford, Florida, was completely consumed by fire on a…