It’s not difficult or unusual to lose track of a smartphone, particularly for a multi-tasking mom, who was minding her two young children and filling out paperwork at Crow Wing County Community Services.
Whitney Thomsen of Pequot Lakes was on the second floor of the Community Services Building Wednesday waiting to fill out forms with two of her three children, ages 18 months and 6 weeks. That’s when she last used the smartphone her stepfather had given her as gift.
“My 18-month-old was getting fussy,” Thomsen said. “I had my phone out. She was running to the stairs...starting to throw a tantrum.”
Her third child, a 6-year-old, was in school when the family was running errands.
Somehow Thomsen’s smartphone was either misplaced or taken by someone but it’s not the loss of the phone alone that has Thomsen distraught. It’s the loss of pictures of her 6-week-old daughter’s birth that were on the phone that is the most upsetting aspect of the missing phone.
“I’ve been taking pictures of her for the last six weeks,” Thomsen said. “The phone can be replaced. Those photos can’t.”
If the phone isn’t found and returned to her, she said “the first six weeks of her life will only be in my memory.”
Thomsen has contacted Brainerd Police and Community Services about the phone. If the Blue Samsung Galaxy S3 smartphone with a multi-colored, stained-glass-type cover is found it may be returned at either of those locations or by calling her at 218-232-5795.
MIKE O’ROURKE, associate editor, may be reached at 855-5860 or mike.orourke@brainerddispatch.com. He may be followed at www.twitter.com/MikeORourkenews.
Comments (35)
Add commentconfused
I'm confused. If this young lady is in need of public assistance, why didn't her stepfather use the $800 (my guess at the cost) he spent on a phone and help her pay bills or purchase food/diapers for her family instead? You can get a basic cell phone, that also takes pictures, at WalMart for under $100.
Wow, what rude comments...
A lot of working parents out there need to receive or ask for public assistance, like medical care, food benefits, etc. Dont just ASSUME this person is a slacker. Have some human compassion please! Dont just snap to judging people. You dont know their situation.
Whitney, Im sorry your phone was either misplaced or stolen and you lost your pictures. If its a droid make sure and upload them to your google account/google drive and then they will be safely there. Another way is to upload them to Snapfish and they will safely remain there. Hope that helps.
You don't know
How do you know that she wasn't in there getting OFF assistance?
It said, "filling out paperwork at Crow Wing County Community Services." Did it say what kind?
So easy to judge when you don't know what is going on.
If you were standing over her shoulder reading the forms maybe you know where her phone is, help her out that way instead of spewing accusations.
She wants her phone and pictures back. She doesn't need your judgement calls and opinions.
47%er
In there getting off assistance? Sure, right. A few years ago I did volunteer work at a food shelf. One day a family came in looking for free food and every one..EVERY ONE of them were talking on their iPhones while filling up their baskets with free food. And all the women (girls) had their nails all blinged out too. After that I was finished.
Maybe it is an "ObamaPhone". You know, that deranged program started under Bush that has blown up to over a billion dollar a year entitlement freebie this year?
But
But Tork, do you know why she was in there?
Did you know that you can get nail "bling' in a dollar store? Maybe they do their own nails.
There are always abusers, even the richer people.
BTW Tork, thank you for volunteering.
What food shelf allows people to just walk around filling baskets?
I took an elderly person (88) in to a FS and after he signed his name and told him it was just for him, and the asked him why he needed the food assistance,they walked around with a bag and let him pick out certain items. Not just walk around like he was in Cub Foods.
Really?
I am a single working mother of two, college graduate with 2 degrees. I pay my taxes, and all my deductions. I keep my dog licensed, my vehicles licensed/full coverage insurance, pay my property taxes, and all of my utilities. I pay my family premiums into insurance each month also. So I am on assistance through the county. Why must you ask? It’s because I meet income guidelines, even with a full time income and my college education just isn't enough these days. I don't take anything more than medical assistance, I get by without food or cash. I’m fortunate enough to be on the WIC program for women, which has been a big help! I don’t have a landline at home, although I’m sure it would be cheaper, it just isn’t as practical as a cellphone. I don’t have an iphone, or a top of the line droid phone, but I do go through Verizon, have been for years. I do have a decent smart phone, and I would hate for someone to judge me for getting a newer phone regardless of the price tag… gift or no gift, you don’t know someone’s whole story. Please don’t judge us, I’m not one of those 47%er’s you call it, I pay taxes AND I’m on assistance. Everything I read today, it’s all Obama’s fault… well I’m sure assistance was around before he was elected…. I hope that mom finds her phone, baby pictures are priceless! If not I think maybe should go to her local wireless carrier, and have something done?
MN O4
who pays you're vet bills that is @ $150 a year, dog food 50 cents a pound for the cheap stuff. How many vehicles $ ? I'm not judging you just sick of paying taxes for you. Who paid for you're school ? 2 degrees couldn't make up you're mind ? What about day care does the county help you there too? You see I'm just a high school grad (Barely) one child and I get no Govt. help and I can only afford a $ 30.00 no contract phone But if the county p/u up my medical I could afford Verizon & A smart phone too.
47%er????
I am a single mom of three; I own a home, a car and a couple of cats. I pay my taxes, insure my car, insure my home, pay my bills, work full time and part time and receive assistance. My mortgage payment is less than 80% of the rent in the area and I still qualify due to my income status. Which, by the way, has never been cash assistance. We have no land line because as MN04 stated, it is not practical. I do have a smart phone, as does my oldest for the simple reason that she can use it in school to assist her and gets straight A's. Without the assistance, my children would likely be homeless and hungry. Am I 47%er?? NO I AM NOT! I work hard for my money, I pay my taxes and bills on time! And I sacrifice what little I make to ensure my children are cared for the best I can. After my jobs, I am still at home to help with homework and make sure a story is read every night before prayer time. Honestly, I find the first two comments, ignorant and out of touch. Judge me if you may. Just know that I will be relieved on your judgment day that I won’t have to stand by and give my opinion of you. That will be handled by God and God alone.
Pickle
No one pays my vet bill. I said I don't get cash assistance I told you that before, dog food is an added expense that I PAY. I have 2 vehicles, which I pay for myself, to get to and from work, and transport my kids. You don't pay taxes for me, I pay taxes for me. I pay my insurance premiums.. so medical assitance is just a fraction of the bill of what it would cost me.Would it make you feel better that I have student loans? That I'm about to start paying on because of my grace period is up soon... is that what you wanted to hear? 2 degrees??? yes, based on my location, my first career choice wasn't my best move, but it landed me a job, I got the second one as a back up plan. Ever heard of planning? If you can't make it with plan A you better have a plan B? Child care is at my expense. You seem jealous? You are still young, I have a mortgage and other responsibilities... would it help that I only pay 50$ a month on a 2 year contract plan for Verizon? I pay a 20$ difference to you, and you are judging me? No one is saying you should be on assistance, but it's a savings that is much appreciated, I worked for quite a few years before having kids... I didn't have kids right out of high school (not judging) I worked and payed for stuff on my own, and was on NO assistance. But then life happens and you make due. I work with what I have and I just barely met income guidelines for medical assistance, but thank you for knowing all so much. I appreciate your input, I'm sorry if you think you are "Paying" for me, because you really aren't.
how we assume
first i'm not young , second all i'm sayin is people shouldn't have luxuries (pets , two cars, smart phones ect.) then get public asst. I have a mort. too. i've been payin taxes over 31 years because i'm responsable I don't ask the state of MN. for help or the federal gov. I pay my own way like we are suppose to.
we all assume don't we?
Yes, everyone should pay their own way, life isn't free. Luxuries, i can't believe you would say 2 cars are necessarily a want instead of a need basis. One is my daily driver, the other is a project vehicle that needs work, can't really see the pleasure in all that... everyone of any income amount can have a pet, where did you get that 150$ per yr vet bill anyways? I've had my pet since before my kids, so I'm glad to see you are saying if I can't afford it anymore than put it on the streets, or give to a local shelter, where the costs can build up on finding it a home/ or even euthanize it (which by the way your donation would go towards that, thank you for paying that one). The smartphone I have from verizon was the free one, no cost extra. Regardless of what you say, I live very frugally, and yes not all people need to be on the system, and yes some abuse it. I've only used what I needed, and most of my life I've never been on it, till recently. The point I'm trying to make is there are decent people using the system and we need to filter out those who abuse it. I'm sorry you are offended for what you "pay" for, but like i stated earlier, I pay my taxes, so what I "borrow" is hopefully going back. And I'm glad you state that "I pay my own way," good way of saying that you are perfect, when hardship hits you, hopefully someone sees past that ego and helps you when you need it.
Oh no I lost my phone
Sorry, but your problem is pretty low-grade. I believe this is #firstworldproblems material right here. Or am I reading out of the lost and found section?
Boo hoo.
First- I agree with Nexxhexxon- First World Problem, for sure.
Second- What kind of person wouldn't dump photos onto a computer for 6 weeks?
Third- The Dispatch must be scraping pretty badly for stories if this is considered "news"
Lesson learned?
Anyone who has kids, knows that this is a big enough issue for them. As for news, yes i agree this isn't much for news.
Food shelf ..Btw
The food shelf I was volunteering at was in Maple Plain MN. They limited you to xx lbs per month, but you did get to Fil your bag like at Cub.
MN04
Hey i'm not callin you names so why are you ? (perfect, ego,wishin hard times on me) The$150 is yearly exam @ $75 shots rabies, parvo.,ect. is another $75 You said you keep you're dog lic. so you have to go to the vet for rabbies shots don't you?YES HONEST PEOPLE USE THE SYSTEM
NO ONE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT !! There is a need for a safety net ,not a life time of hand outs. That is why I don't understand why you are upset with me. So I'm glad you & I are unighted in this issue.
This is not important to the
This is not important to the issue but, a single mother is one that has not married. Otherwise, you are divorced or
widowed. The difference is the father should be there to help financially. I do understand domestic abuse and how it would play, if that is the case.
Actually, even if you are single, never married, I guess there should still be a father to help.
I do what I can to help widowed and abused women.
I also wonder about the two cars if for no other reason, the insurance cost. But I wish you all the best and encouragement. You well know that by being on your own and independent is best for you and your children.
I don't have a smart phone either.
sadie
thankyou
crap
what a waste of ink and paper, seen more worth while reading in a fortune cookie. Embarrassed for you BDD
Seriously...
Yes, this is a lame news story. But have any of you people commenting on why this person needs assistance ever heard of WIC? The income guidelines are generous and pregnant women and certainly women with children this age would generally qualify. Quit hating if you don't know the details! Sheesh. The judginess around here is infuriating.
MN04
There are so many lazy people taking advantage of the system it makes many of us over critical. Situations like yours is the reason we have assistance programs. You should not have to, nor feel the need, to explain yourself.
SMART PHONE
It's really sad when we as people stand back and judge those
who experience a situation that we cannot control, I am happy your a hard worker, a tax payer, and support your families, do you know how safe it is to even have a phone with children, for anyone, cell phones were used to contact the police during most of our latest shootings, if her father gave her the phone he must have thought it was a good tool that could keep his grandchildren safe. as well as his daughter. Is it really about, the public assistance or that you are just mad that you have to work. Lets be greatful for those
who have and those who don't have pray their lives get blessed. Hand them your extra cell phone, charity begins with you.
Isn't there enough bad going on in our Natioin that we begin
to attack our neighbors. Mother's and children.....Carol Pikula
smart phone/ SORRY I HOPE YOU FIND IT...
Hope you can find the phone..don't lose sleep over comments made, some people believe in freedom of speech
if they don't have to let people know they said it...Carol Pikula
Back in the day
There is nothing wrong with a nice Polaroid camera. Take a picture and "poof" in less than a minute you got your picture right in front of you. If you can't afford a album put 'em in a shoebox they will keep just fine. Lifetime of memories safe n secure. Polaroid cameras are cheap less than 10 bucks at any thrift store and state of the art technology. No need to suck off the public teat for free money for phones when your on public assistance already. Also them cell phones cause brain cancer. Bad for the baby.
With the money you save there is soething called contraceptives! Use them tike your off public assistance or until one of the baby daddies marries you!
SMTN
BDD Lamestream Media
BDD no news is bad news
Where can we find real reporting?
BDD Part of Lamestream Media
Why
Why are you still commenting if you don't like BDD? Leave then, no one is telling you that you need to stay.
Go read up on a course in compassion, or understanding. Bunch of bitter, mean spirited, greedy people.
'Mine, mine, MINE, get a job, can't have mine, get your own, starve then, hate, hate, hate,'
Sound familiar yet?
heres one, cant afford kids, dont have them
that means abstain from the act of making babies as well.
One of these days the balls going to drop and those that cant afford them will not get my taxes to pay for them
You call this news?
I dropped my iphone in the sink last week. It had two weeks worth of my newborn infant's pictures on it. Why was I not contacted for a news story?