California boy to get new prosthetic leg after beach theft

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA, Calif. — A 4-year-old boy whose artificial leg was stolen while he played at a Southern California beach will soon get a replacement.

Liam Brenes of Rancho Santa Margarita left his expensive prosthetic limb on the sand Sunday to play in some tide pools at Crystal Cove State Park in Orange County. When he returned, the leg was gone.

Offers of help have flooded in.

The Orange County Register (http://bit.ly/2aenqel ) reports that Liam’s family accepted a free replacement from Michael Metichecchia, an amputee who owns a prosthetics business in Palmdale.

The boy was fitted Tuesday. Metichecchia says two legs should be ready in days — one for everyday use, and one to take into the water.

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Liam was born without a calf bone, and his right leg was amputated below the knee.

The Associated Press