The not-so mysterious mystery of the missing coat: what would you do?

[fugglestone1]

A few weeks ago, my four year-old daughter’s much-loved, expensive and very distinctive coat went missing from nursery. Everyone looked high and low, but nothing. Two days ago, when I dropped her off at nursery, another little girl ran up to me and said “Look, I’ve got the same coat as Daisy” and proudly showed me my daughter’s coat.

The first thought obviously, was a mistake – it’s easy enough for clothes to get put back on the wrong pegs, etc. But when that happens you bring them back. However, in this case, the parents are saying it is their daughter’s coat and they bought it for her. It’s not completely impossible, but the likelihood is miniscule. It’s been out of season for ages, so you couldn’t buy it in the shops and I’ve never seen another like it anywhere, even on eBay. It was named by the way, but those tags can come off in the wash. Or be pulled off. It’s the same size too (4-5 years – my daughter is very tall), even though the other little girl is only 3.

In short, no one, has any question whose it is. Obviously I could let it go since it’s only a coat. But I’m getting more and more cheesed off because it was a present from my Mum, many of my memories of my daughter from the last two years are of her in it, and because it’s just such a crap thing to do.

Any thoughts?

It would be easier to just nick it back.

i used to turn the kids coats inside out and write names on a hem/sleeve or a pocket flap....there was a spate of missing coats at nursery

..blamed on people collecting not knowing what belonged to their child, but really just opportunistic thievery!

I don't think the child will take the coat into nursery again Whinesalot

Just nick it back.

Cheeky sods.

She'll be back in nursery with it on again, you just have to wait and plot until that day...

They always seem "mix up" the nice clothes and coats, don't they?

Not the primark hoodie with the indelible stain. Oh no. No, that stays on the hook.

Do the nursery have CCTV? You know when it disappeared so you/they could check to see if anyone walked out wearing it that day....

Then if your suspicions are correct I would ask the nursery to speak to the parents, otherwise you will go to the police.

Wankers.

Coats - always sew a secret name label into the deep of a pocket.

That is so incredibly frustrating.

Can you ask the mother where she bought it from as your child has lost hers and you would like to replace it?

If the nursery has cctv, then ask if they are willing to do a search. If not, take it back yourself and don't let it into that place again. How horrible to steal another child's coat.

Possession being 9/10ths of the law...take it back & argue the toss later.

The bloody cheek! I'm surprised they nicked it then let their daughter wear it to nursery where you would see it. I'd find a way to get to back but not sure how...

very annoying and very sad for your dd, if it turns up I would take it and put a label in it in one of the suggested places. Its very hard to say anything without accusing the parents

It suspicious that they cant say where they got it from, I guess its possible it was a car boot sale or charity shop and they are embarrassed to admit that grasping at straws

What shitty parents. I'd take it back and I'd expect the nursery to take a pretty dim view on theft too.

Is there any way the nursery could mediate or give you some time to examine the coat for known marks/stains? Otherwise CCTV should be in place to check. Good luck.

My dds best friend who lived next door used to nick my dds clothes and her mum would say she'd bought it. But we found that if we waited a month or so they'd forget they'd nicked it and leave it lying around and my dd would nick it back and then deliberately turn up round there's wearing it the next day.

As a pp said it was never the stuff from primark, always the nice stuff.

Wow. this thread is a real eye opener.

I would leave it. And don't send your dd to nursery in expensive clothes.

I think it's far more likely that the little girl saw this coat in a charity shop and was delighted it was the same as her friends. I really don't think they'd be so brazen to send her back to nursery in something so distinctive if they'd nicked it. Can you do a search of sold listings on eBay to see if anyone local has sold one? Or if ones been sold recently from anywhere, that could be the one they have. If it's Boden or similar, eBay is awash with them.

I would take it back in a heartbeat. Thieving shits. Sadly it probably won't arrive at nursery again I imagine.

Bide your time and wait for it to reappear and take it back. Or push it with the nursery and say you want them to act on it and get the other parents to bring back the coat.

Oh this is easy...get there late, take the coat, sew a label in, in an inconspicuous place, then go back early with coat. When home time, let staff know that you can identify the coat. Voila!

I think it's far more likely that the little girl saw this coat in a charity shop and was delighted it was the same as her friends

If that's the case why can't the parents remember it?

That idea is brilliant !

I think I would just leave it now. The parents have been called out on it. They are either lying about buying it (who doesn't remember where they bought something distinctive very recently?) in which case they know you know what they did - hopefully they feel some shame. It may be sad that the mother coveted something so much that she stole it, perhaps they are hard up and feel their DD doesn't have anything so nice.

They may be telling the truth in which case you don't want to be in charge of a witch hunt. In future put a waterproof laundry mark or sew a piece of coloured thread inside an arm to identify anything precious.

I'm betting you never see that coat at nursery again....

How the hell is a two year old coat passing as bought new!?

Do share the secret!