A REDDITCH mother says a burglary at her home will ‘haunt her for years’ after thieves covered her two-year-old’s mouth to stop her yelling.

Stephanie and Antony Hotchkiss were at home when two thieves ransacked their Wishaw Close property at around 11pm on Thursday (August 6).

On the evening, their daughter Harley-May had gone downstairs to get some toys to bring up to her mum. She walked up the stairs as her dog ran downstairs barking at something.

Harley-May then told her mum there were strange men downstairs and later told the police they had covered her mouth with a hand.

The family discovered their home had been entered through an unlocked patio door and the thieves stole a wedding ring, a watch, and a camera.

They also stole cash which had been saved up by the family to fund a holiday.

Mrs Hotchkiss, aged 28, told The Advertiser: "It was absolutely terrifying.

"I haven't slept since it happened. We have been sleeping on the sofa just to make sure no one will come in again.

"My daughter told me there were two strange men in the kitchen. I went into panic mode. It was so nerve wracking.

"You think you are safe in your own home. This is going to haunt me for many years.

Mrs Hotchkiss' sister Juliet Rothery, aged 27, has started at JustGiving page to help recoup the stolen funds. People can donate to the fundraiser here.

At the time of the burglary, she was babysitting her sister's other child - seven-year-old Bailey.

Following the raid Chief Inspector Ed Hancox, said: “This must have been an incredibly distressing experience for the whole family and a full investigation is underway.

"The little girl was extremely brave and we will be doing all we can to support her and her parents.

"We will be carrying out house to house enquiries in the area but we are asking anyone that saw or heard anything suspicious in the area last night to give us a call.

"It is rare to have a burglary of this nature in Redditch and we understand that this will be alarming to the local community and as such we will be carrying out additional reassurance patrols in the area.”