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Return swans stolen from Lake Eola Park, no questions asked, Orlando city leader says

ORLANDO, Fla. — Six baby swans, or cygnets, were stolen from Lake Eola Park, according to Orlando City Commissioner Patty Sheehan.

"Unfortunately, there are bad people in the world. I don't know why anyone would want to steal babies from their mama and hear her scream. I can't imagine anyone that heartless. What a horrible thing for someone to do," said Sheehan.

If the cygnets are returned unharmed, there will be no questions asked, Sheehan said.

If not, anyone involved with be prosecuted to the fullest, she said.

The young swans were born Sunday night, park rangers said.

A ranger checked on the mother and babies at about 10:45 p.m. Monday and said they were all accounted for.

The next morning, around 6 a.m., a different ranger heard the mother swan in distress and found that all six cygnets were missing.

Park rangers believe it's possible that whoever took the babies knew they had just hatched, and stole them before the babies could be microchipped.

The tagging was scheduled to happen when the babies were about a week old..

Lake Eola officials posted the following to Facebook: “It is with sadness that we have to report that these new baby swans appear to have been taken from the park on Monday night to Tuesday morning. If anyone has any information on the disappearance please contact OPD Crime line 1-800-423-TIPS.”

Orlando police said they may have found video of a suspicious van in the area Monday night into Tuesday.

Police said they are checking some leads and that the person, or persons, involved in the theft could face felony charges.

Sheehan expressed her frustration on Facebook Tuesday night over the crime.

She said a predator or natural activity wouldn’t account for six missing swans.

Sheehan encouraged anyone with information to call police.

Some scumbag stole six Cygnets (baby swans) from Lake Eola Park last night. I am just furious. This is a crime against...

Posted by Patty Sheehan on Tuesday, April 12, 2016