Dog Sitter Accused Of Stealing From Ailing San Clemente Family

SAN CLEMENTE, CA —A San Clemente family left home for a spring break vacation but returned to find they had been robbed, they believe by someone they trusted, NBCLA reported.

Father Michael Coulson has stage 4 brain cancer, which he has battled since November of last year, the family shared over GoFundMe. When he was at last feeling well enough to leave town, they hired a dog sitter, a highly recommended young lady, they were told.

"The kids met her, she was great with my dog, so we hired her for two nights," Lori Coulson told NBC4LA. "I won't do that again."

The Coulson family discovered a very "surprised dog sitter" and their home "out of order" when they came home early. That, and the discovery that "several hundred dollars in cash and gift cards" were missing.

Daughter Courtney Coulson told reporters that the sitter "was packing her bags super-fast" and that she "knew something was wrong."

Upon talking with neighbors, the Coulsons learned that the dog sitter was sighted around the neighborhood driving their cars, though she had no permission to do so.

The worst part for Lori Coulson? Knowing that someone who knew their health and financial struggles had taken advantage of them in the worst way.

"I think it's pure evil," Courtney Coulson told reporters. "It was our spring break, and we just wanted to get away and have fun as a family."

The family hopes to raise $125,000 by July 28th, 2019 over GoFundMe by (Michael's next birthday).

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