Single dad leaves Facebook in tears after praising cops who bought his autistic daughter a Dory lunchbox after her Argos meltdown
The caring dad was 'overwhelmed' by the kind gesture
A GRATEFUL dad has thanked two policemen for giving his autistic daughter a thoughtful gift after she had a public ‘meltdown’.
On a recent shopping trip to Argos, Robert Davies was forced to leave the store in order to calm his eight-year-old daughter Cerys Lily down.
Primary school student Cerys Lily, who has autism, became distressed when she fell in love with a Finding Dory lunchbox that wasn’t yet for sale.
Even when the doting dad asked employees if there was anything they could do, he had no luck with buying the item for his daughter.
Robert remembered: “Cerys Lily started to get to get upset so I asked to see the manager and she wouldn’t budge either…
"I asked if there was anything they could do but the lady said she couldn't physically put it through the till.”
As the situation escalated, Robert had to take Cerys Lily outside the store to calm down.
He explained: "Cerys was starting to have a meltdown, kicking and screaming, so I ended up having to physically pick her up and carry her out to the car, past all the people who were behind me in the queue.”
Less than half an hour after the pair got home, Robert was stunned when the police turned up at his house.
He revealed: "Someone had reported me after seeing me put Cerys in the car in the car park…
"One of the officers said he had a nephew with Asperger's and they were really understanding once I explained what had happened in the store.
"They could see that Cerys was fine and played with her in the house, showing her all their police gear.
“Then they put the flashing lights and the sirens on in the car outside. She loved it."
Related Stories
The next morning, Robert and Cerys Lily were stunned by an amazing surprise.
South Wales Police officers PC Steven Bowen and PC Leigh Francis arrived at the door with the Finding Dory lunch box in hand.
Robert remembered: "I said 'thank you' but I was so overwhelmed. It was just lovely.
"Cerys isn't a shy person, but she said thank you very quietly. She slept in bed with the lunch box that night."
Grateful Robert was so touched by the act of kindness that he took to Facebook to thank the officers, with his post attracting a whopping 3,600 likes.
Superintendent Simon Davies, of South Wales Police, said: "Positive feedback is always very much welcomed, it was very kind for Mr Davies to make his thoughts felt in this way.
"Police officers deal with all kinds of situations, sometimes volatile and dangerous ones, and other times, difficult, more sensitive ones.
"The kindness and empathy that both officers showed is a testament to them. They are a credit to South Wales Police."
A spokesman for Argos said: "We are very sorry to learn of this incident and sincerely apologise for the distress caused.
"We have asked for customer details so that we can find out more and investigate as a matter of urgency."