Woman finds boy who left $5, heartbreaking apology note

© KING 5 Seattle Video still of $5 and an apology note.

LAKEWOOD, Wash. — A Washington woman who started searching for a boy named Jake after he left her a heartbreaking note with a $5 bill stuffed in its folds said she now knows who he is and expects to meet him soon.

Christina Reitz, who lives in this Seattle suburb of about 60,000 people southwest of Tacoma, Wash., found the apology on her door March 3 saying that his sister had stolen one of Reitz's wind chimes because its butterflies reminded the child of their mother, who had died recently.

“I’m sorry," he wrote. "This is the only money I have. Please do not be mad.”

Instead, Reitz was moved, using her Chrissy Marie Facebook account, to try to find him. She posted on a local group page asking if anyone knew Jake, and word of her quest took off beyond the private group.

She wanted to return the boy's money and offer Jake his own wind chime similar to the one he and his sister had taken, so each would have a reminder of their mom.

"He did try to make things right, and I do forgive him, Reitz said. "I'm not going to hold a grudge for a wind chime that was less than $5."

She, too, lost her mother as a young child, and her dad died about six years ago, she said.

On Thursday, Jake's aunt posted in the Facebook group revealing that she knew the boy.

Reitz said she has been in contact with the family, but members wish to remain anonymous right now.

"They are grieving, and everything is overwhelming for them," Reitz said. Reitz and the children plan to meet in person soon.

Follow Kelsey Caulfield on Twitter: @KelseyCaulfield