PHOENIX — Molly Stults was at Phoenix Sky Harbor on Jan. 3, on her way to New York City to celebrate her 18th birthday, when her mom realized something was wrong.
"We made it to our gate and then all the sudden, my mom said 'where's Bun Bun?'" Molly Stults said. "My heart just dropped."
"Bun Bun" is the stuffed animal rabbit Molly Stults' mom, Amy, and her sister made for her before the family adopted Molly Stults from China, when she was just 14 months old. Bun Bun has stayed with Molly Stults through "thick and thin," including eight surgeries.
"She's just been there for me, for everything, through the physical therapy, through the surgeries, through when I'm crying because I'm just in so much pain," Molly Stults said. "She's been with me to every place I've been to."
Amy Stults realized her daughter's stuffed animal was missing while they were walking to their early morning flight, and said in a Facebook post that she believes Bun Bun was lost somewhere between the escalator and security on the second floor of terminal four. Molly and Amy Stults looked everywhere, retracing their steps and asking people if they had seen Bun Bun.
"They looked at us like we were crazy asking about a stuffed bunny," Amy Stults said. "But at some point we had to stop looking, we had to go through security."
Now, the family is asking for help locating Bun Bun. After contacting Southwest agents and TSA, Amy Stults put out pictures of Molly on Bun Bun on Facebook, along with a $100 reward for anyone who finds the beloved stuffed animal.
"I get it, I am a teenager crying over a stuffed animal, but she really means a lot to me," Molly Stults said, her voice cracking. "She's been there for me through every single thing I've had to get done, and honestly I don't understand why someone would take her, and not return her."
Molly and Amy Stults hope for Bun Bun's safe return, especially as Molly Stults prepares for another surgery this summer.
"It's hard to send your kid into surgery... it really doesn't get easier," Amy Stults said. "It was always a comfort to me, too, that she was able to take Bun Bun in there with her."
Get to know 12News
At 12News, we listen, we seek, we solve for all Arizonans. 12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc.
12News is built on a legacy of trust. We serve more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.
We are committed to serving all of the Valley's communities, because we live here, too.
12News is the Official Home of the Arizona Cardinals and the proud recipient of the 2018 Rocky Mountain Emmy Award for Overall Excellence.
Stay connected by downloading the 12News app, available on Google Play and the Apple Store. Catch up on any stories you missed on the show on the 12News Youtube channel. Read content curated for our Spanish-speaking audience on the Español page. Or see us on the 12News Plus app available on Roku or Amazon Fire.
WE ❤ ARIZONA
Explore amAZing people, places and things across our state on our 12News YouTube playlist here.