Mother Seeking Help To Find 3-Year-Old's Lost Bear

DEER PARK, NY - A local mom is asking the community for help after her 3-year-old daughter lost her stuffed bear at a Deer Park restaurant Sunday afternoon.

Vanessa Parlatore was dining with her daughter at Texas Roadhouse on 502 Commack Road between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

The little girl left it in the waiting area and when we went back to get it, he was gone. The small brown stuffed bear (pictured above) has the logo "Plainview Hospital" on it.

Parlatore's daughter received the bear from her grandfather, who passed away from cancer a few years ago.

"The bear has been through 6 seizures with her and many other life events we have experienced - it’s her safety blanket," Parlatore said. "The hospital no longer makes the bear and I’m literally at work trying to find one on Google/eBay. I even signed up to some site where people find replacements. I know it’s just a bear but there’s so much sentiment behind it."

Photo courtesy of Vanessa Parlatore

After contacting Plainview Hospital, while they couldn't get a replacement bear, they had a plush elephant waiting for the 3-year-old at the front desk.

"We are so touched and grateful for their generosity and genuine care; it brought us to tears," Parlatore said.

Still, she is hoping to find the original bear, offering a reward for the person who finds it.

Anyone with information can contact Parlatore at nes28dms@aol.com.

Photo courtesy of Vanessa Parlatore