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OPA-LOCKA

Baby's cremated remains stolen, then recovered

An armed robber stole a box containing the cremated remains of a woman's baby as she begged the man not to take it. The ashes were found later, police said.

jlebovich@MiamiHerald.com

Janie Brunson and her boyfriend sat at the Opa-locka bus stop, cradling the small, white box containing the ashes of a baby girl -- the beloved remains of her second miscarriage within eight months.

The 23-year-old woman looked up to see a gun pointed at her. She begged the man not to take her baby's ashes.

But the man ignored her pleas, snatching the box and a gold chain.

Brunson had picked up her daughter's remains only minutes earlier. She and her boyfriend, Shaun Bolton, wanted to wait to open the box until they were home with family.

On Thursday, though, police found the ashes. Opa-locka Police Capt. Vincent Robinson confirmed Thursday night that the ashes had been recovered, though he would not offer any details. ``The ashes will be returned to her. Everything is still intact,'' he said.

The ashes of Shaunyce were to be placed inside a casket in the home, where the couple had created a small memorial for their two children -- one of whom was stillborn and the other who lived only a few minutes.

Shaunyce died March 30. She weighed just 14 ounces. Last August, Brunson lost her first child, a son, Shaun.

``I thought once I'd get her ashes my memorial would be completed,'' she said. ``I'd be able to go on and think of future things and future babies.''

On Wednesday morning, Brunson and her boyfriend got up early to pick up her remains.

They were sitting at the bus stop at 13875 NW 22nd Ave. at around 11:30 a.m. when the man walked up. He pointed the gun.

``Give it up. Give it up,'' he repeated.

Brunson screamed, begging him to let her keep the ashes.

The man would not, stealing the box along with Bolton's gold chain. The robber hopped a fence and ran off into an apartment complex.

Bolton called police, who searched for the white box, although initially without success.

Brunson had posted news of her latest loss on babycenter.com, an online community for mothers. It's the same place she gave updates on her pregnancy and posted pictures after her daughter died.

People have offered her support once again. ``I just pray they catch him,'' she said of the armed man, who she said appeared to be in his 20s, with dreadlocks pulled back in a bun. He wore a white T-shirt and tan shorts.

No arrests have been made, police said.

When police called Brunson to tell her they had recovered the ashes, ``I was so happy I screamed,'' she said. ``I was thanking God.''

Anyone with information is asked to call Opa-locka police at 305-953-2877.

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