Robbery Turns Gratitude to Sorrow

Mother’s Day meant nothing but a golden crime opportunity to the man who ignored a woman’s pleas and stole her purse as she was buying flowers for the nurses taking care of her critically ill infant daughter.

Lori Putnam, who came here about a week ago from Portland, Ore., was held up early Sunday at a flower shop near Childrens Hospital, where her 8-month-old daughter, Cheyenne Summer, was being treated for a severe immune system disorder.

Putnam had gone to the flower shop on Vermont Avenue about 8:30 a.m. to buy a bouquet for the nurses when a gunman entered and robbed the florists as they were preparing for one of the busiest days of the year.

“As the robber was leaving he approached Mrs. Putnam and demanded her purse,” said Officer Sherry Stanley of the Los Angeles Police Department’s Northeast Division. “Lori told him, ‘Please, my baby is in the hospital and I need the things in my purse.’

“The robber pointed the gun at Mrs. Putnam and she tearfully released her purse.”

Putnam said she was angry and distraught and ran after the robber, who pointed the gun at her again. “I decided (Cheyenne) was more important than my temper,” and she let him escape with her money, credit cards and plane tickets.

Putnam came to Los Angeles to donate bone marrow to her daughter, who was born with an immune system disorder sometimes called “boy in the bubble” disorder, because the patient must live in a sterile environment. The ailment was made famous by a Texas boy who was confined to such an environment until his death at age 12.

Thanks to the transplant, Cheyenne’s condition has improved to the point that she no longer must be kept in isolation. But she has also been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and was to be transferred today to a Portland hospital, Stanley said.

Putnam told police that the robbery was not the only sour note in her trip. She was followed from the hospital to her hotel, where someone tried to break into her room, Stanley said.

Police officers didn’t want Putnam to leave with a poor impression of Los Angeles, so they took up a collection. Anyone else wishing to contribute may contact the Northeast station.