Ind. burglars steal woman's ashes

HAMMOND, Ind. -- A Hammond man wants burglars to return the ashes of his late wife that were stolen with other items during a break-in.

Burglars broke into Christopher Washington's home Thursday and took a sealed 8-pound cardboard box containing the ashes of Tracy Francisco-Washington from a shelf in a bedroom closet.

The former Chicago schoolteacher was 40 when she died April 17. The couple had a 10-year-old son who also survived her.

The Times of Munster reports the burglars also took televisions and jewelry, but Washington says he only wants the ashes back.

Police Chief Brian Miller says the theft of the ashes is "sickening."