"I don't want sympathy,” said Scharnhorst. “My grandkids are well taken care of. But if you want to help, go out to a store and buy a bag of toys and take it to a police department or Toys for Tots or a fire department. Help children have a Christmas. Every child deserves to have a Christmas."

Scharnhorst said the thief left behind a half-empty can of iced tea which the police took to test for fingerprints and DNA.

Scharnhorst said she has insurance and kept all her receipts for the toys she purchased.