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Father grateful to good Samaritan who found lost Christmas gifts along road and returned them

Posted at 9:46 PM, Dec 19, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-19 23:46:29-05

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- A West Valley City man feared his children's Christmas presents were lost forever after they fell from the back of his brother's truck, but a good Samaritan found the gifts and went above and beyond to track him down.

On Saturday, Leticia Broadbent returned the toys and clothes she found Friday night to Dean Harwood. The gifts were for Harwood's three young children.

"I never thought I'd get this back, I thought they were gone, I thought they were totally gone because I didn't know where they dropped," Harwood said.

Harwood, who is legally blind, said the presents fell off the back of his friend's truck without them realizing it had happened. Fortunately, Broadbent found the gifts while driving along 4800 west near 90th South.

She contacted FOX 13 News and told the public she was desperate to find the rightful owner and return the presents. Harwood was listening to the newscast, and immediately realized those were his lost presents.

"It's really heartwarming to me, talking to Dean a little bit, he has his children, to me it feels so good to be able to have his presents back for his children," Broadbent said.

Harwood, who lives on a fixed income, spent more than $200 on the gifts. He said he would have been unable to buy new toys and clothes for his kids, and he credits Leticia for saving his Christmas.

"Very, very grateful: I didn't think there were people like this anymore," Harwood said.

Harwood added that he only gets the opportunity to see his children a few times each year and was excited to give the gifts to them, so he is extra grateful to Broadbent for helping restore some holiday cheer to the upcoming visit.