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8 year oldLiam Brenes, who was born without a fibula bone and as a baby had the bottom part of his leg amputated, was exploring the tide pools at Crystal Cove State Beach in Newport Beach, Calif., with his family when his custom-fit prosthesis was snatched, along with his clothing.
Liam was wearing an old prosthetic leg, that was too short for him, to wade in the water and protect his newer, longer prosthesis from the salt water.
Liam’s father looked for the missing leg in nearby trash cans and park rangers helped search the area — but to no avail.
Fortunately, the prosthesis can — and will — be replaced. Family friend Ann-Marie Brasil has helped raise more than $16,000 from more than 200 donorsthrough a GoFundMe page for Liam.
That amount far surpassed the cause's original goal of $10,000.
Canadian businessman and “Shark Tank” star Robert Herjavec is among those eager to help replace the prosthetic leg as soon as possible.
He’s even offered to pay the bill and fastrack the process of getting a new leg made for Brenes.
“It just broke my heart,” Herjavec told ABC7 after hearing the story. “I mean, to think about what the little boy has gone through. And with everything that’s happening in the world and so much negativity, I just thought if I had the opportunity to make him grow up in an environment where he thinks there are some good people in the world, why not?”
A request for comment from the Crystal Cove State Park was not immediately returned.
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