Viewers Step Up, Replace Stolen Medical Van

CERES, Calif. (CBS13) -- Within minutes of seeing a CBS13 story about the theft of a modified van that was crucial to the medical treatment of a disabled child, generous viewers leaped into action.

Bobby and Angela Celements, owners of Unlimited Mobility, donated a van equipped with a hydraulic lift after leaning that the family of 16-year-old Ivan Burgos had no way to transport him to doctor's appointments.

Ivan was born with severe medical conditions that have grown worse over the years, leaving him confined to a wheelchair and dependent on his family for care.

A van with a lift, bed and ventilator -- costing about $30,000 -- was needed to get him to doctor's appointments out of town. The family could only afford a type of insurance for the van that wouldn't replace it in the event of theft.

Ivan's mother, Claudia Burgo, was reluctant to find help from the public until members of Ivan's school, JFK Elementary in Modesto, urged them to seek media attention.

CBS13 reported Saturday night that unidentified suspects drove off in the vehicle, a crime that stunned neighbors and investigators and already caused Ivan to begin missing appointments.

The Celements acted within minutes and offered one of their vans to replace the stolen one.

"My wife said, 'Look at this.' She said, 'What about the van in the driveway?'" Bobby said. "I said, 'Give it to them.'"

Claudia wept when she saw the donated van, hugging and thanking the Celements for the desperately needed help.

"Thank you so much… thank you God," Claudia said. "Thank you to these people, it's amazing."