Three female teens have been charged in a case of car prowling that led to the ashes of a 19-year-old woman being dumped on the side of the road.

Police were called to the area of 10th Street and Lake Wapta Rise S.E. in the early morning hours of Aug. 2, 2013, for reports of car prowlings. Several vehicles along the street had been targeted and a number of items taken.

One of the vehicles targeted was a white truck. While nothing of monetary value was stolen, a green velvet pouch containing the ashes of Colleen Ransom's late 19-year-old daughter, Emma — who had died four years earlier in a vehicle crash — was taken.

The ashes were dumped on the pavement and the pouch tossed to the side. According to investigators, some of the girls thought the whole thing was a big joke.

"The disturbing part of it was that when they were told what had happened — and they knew it happened because of the news — the one girl actually thought it was kind of funny, like she didn't take it seriously," said Det. Theresa Garagan.

"It's very disappointing that they didn't accept not only did they steal something, they destroyed another piece of a family's life."

While a small amount of ashes were recovered, rain in the early morning washed away the majority.

A green jacket that had belonged to Emma was also taken.

Two girls, aged 15 and 13, have been charged with theft under $5,000. Another 15-year-old has been charged with both theft under $5,000 and property damage.

They can't be named because of provisions in the Youth Criminal Justice Act.