Atlanta

Thief breaks into deaf woman's unit at senior living complex

ATLANTA — A family is upset after someone broke into their deaf mother's home while she was sleeping and stole her things.

Shirley Hutchins, 75, was in a second-floor unit at The Avalon Park senior apartments on Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway.

The thief managed to get inside the gated community and into the secured building around 2 a.m. Monday morning.

"They pried the door with a screw driver all the way down the door and on the other side they used something to pop the lock," the victim's son, Jamie Hutchins said.

Police said the burglar swiped everything from electronics to the victim's wallet and Tupperware.

Hutchins said she only knew someone broke in when she got up to use the restroom.

"She said she was scared because her door was open," Hutchins' daughter, Jeanie Clay said.

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The victim's children said the thief tore up the video relay system, so she had no way of calling police.

Hutchins went door-to-door until she found a neighbor to help her call 911.

Family members believe she was targeted because she is deaf.

"I'm totally upset. I'm mad," Jamie Hutchins said.

Channel 2's Nefertiti Jaquez contacted the property owner and a spokesperson sent the following statement:

"The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority. We are aware of the break-in which occurred on Monday and have reached out to the resident affected to offer support during this unfortunate time. We will continue to work in full cooperation with the local authorities as they continue their investigation."