Debra Perkins’ grandkids aren’t crying anymore.

The beaming grandmother said Tuesday that her grandchildren’s school backpacks have been found. The backpacks, one picturing characters from the animated movie “Cars” and the other sprite Tinker Bell from “Peter Pan,” were stolen Friday night from an unlocked car on Marston Street in Auburn.

Whomever perpetrated the crime likely also burgled about 30 other cars parked overnight in Auburn on Friday and Saturday nights, prompting police to remind residents about the danger of leaving valuables inside unlocked vehicles.

What exacerbated this burglary were the victims: a distraught 3-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl, whose backpacks with stuffed animals, hats, mittens and blankets were stolen while an expensive digital camera was left untouched on the front floor.

On Tuesday, we wondered what kind of person would steal from children. That question hasn’t been answered – it’s more rhetorical, anyway – but at least the children’s property has been found.

Perkins said alert Sun Journal readers in Auburn, Henrietta and Richard LaBlond, found her grandson’s backpack in their driveway on Minot Avenue on Saturday morning. They thought a student running home from nearby Fairview School might have dropped it during the downpour.

“We hung it in the garage and were going to take it back to the school on Monday,” said Henrietta LaBlond. “I’m glad we didn’t.”

They called Perkins at home Tuesday morning, and she went by their home to retrieve it. Most of her grandson’s possessions were safe, save one stuffed animal.

The other pack, Tinker Bell, was turned in at Turner Elementary School on Monday. Through some diligent investigation of the classroom papers inside, the school was able to contact the little girl’s parents. Her father went by the school and identified the pack as his daughter’s.

Perkins said once Auburn police release the pack – it’s still classified as stolen property – it will be returned to her granddaughter.

Just like the stories pictured on the pack – “Cars” and “Peter Pan” – it’s tremendous that this unfortunate whodunit has a happy ending.

“It’s one of those things that was meant to be, I guess,” said Perkins. Perhaps, but it wasn’t fate that found these bags, but rather concerned, compassionate people.

Our thanks and gratitude to everyone.