Sorry to hear about your loss Fred. A friend of mine I knew many years ago when I was in the Navy had the same thing happen with kids while he was out to Sea. I believe he somehow took the parents to court, but before it even went to court all of the defending parents got together and hired a lawyer. Their lawyer told the parents to get together and come up with the money to reimburse my friend for the theft if they didn't want their kids to have a rap sheet and be sued. Well they payed up. Maybe you can try something this route? Anyway good luck my friend!