Sandy Hook: Bell Stolen From Memorial Playground

The Sandy Hook bell was stolen from a memorial playground. The Island Park, New York playground and bell were dedicated on Saturday. Less than 24 hours later, the bell was gone.

Nassau County officials say the 8-inch diameter brass bell is inscribed with the words “every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings” and the number “26.” It was last seen on Saturday night.

Playground visitors reported the bell missing on Sunday afternoon. As reported by Fox News, the bell and park are part of an ongoing tribute to the victims of Adam Lanza.

On December 14, 2012, Lanza walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. He proceeded to shoot and kill 20 children and six adults, before turning the gun on himself.

The Sandy Hook tragedy is the second deadliest mass shooting in the history of the US.

The Sandy Ground project was inspired by the tragedy. A total of 26 playgrounds are planned. Each playground will serve as a living memorial to one of the victims. The playgrounds represent a “symbol of hope, recovery, and a return to normalcy.”

The project is a combined effort between numerous organizations and members of the community. Toni Giordano of Giordano Contracting, LLC, designed all 26 playgrounds.

On Saturday, the playground honoring Caroline Previdi was complete. Previdi would have celebrated her seventh birthday on September 9.

Previdi’s playground is the tenth to reach completion. The community worked for two days to build the memorial playground. The bell was included as a special touch.

Unfortunately, the Sandy Hook bell was stolen from the park. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS.

The bell has little monetary value. However, for the community and the Previdi family, the bell is priceless.

The Sandy Hook bell vanished less than 24 hours after the park’s ribbon was cut.

[Image via Flickr]