‘Our little princess’: Parents’ anguish after ‘precious’ item stolen from child’s grave

Three-year-old Brittany Conway’s death three weeks after swallowing a button battery made headlines and prompted urgent warnings and recommendations for legislation change.

Now her grieving Gold Coast family have experienced new heartache after a “precious” keepsake was stolen from their daughter’s grave.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Family’s grief after special item stolen from child’s grave.

“She was a vivacious little girl, there was a sparkle in her eye,” Brittany’s mother Lorraine told 7NEWS.

“She was a very loving, gentle, funny character.”

Brittany’s love of tiaras was immortalised when one was placed inside a locked glass-front box attached to her grave.

“Brittany loved wearing big bows and pretty dresses, she loved the tiaras and high heels,” Lorraine said.

“We just wanted her to know she was our little princess.”

Less than a month before the four-year anniversary of Brittany’s death, her parents discovered the locked box had been pried open and the “precious” item stolen.

“I was so angry to think someone had taken something so precious, taken it out of somewhere so sacred,” Lorraine said.

The local Gold Coast community rallied around the family, offering to replace the tiara and even reward money for the beloved item to be returned.

Brittany’s parents hold out hope the tiara will be returned, with a message to the thief they “did not hate them” for what they had done and urging them to give the item back.

“I’m still angry, I’m hurt, but my main thing now is to get (the tiara) home, and bring it back to Brittany where it belongs,” Lorraine said.

“They haven’t thought about how much of an impact it has had on the family.

“If you’re watching this, and you’ve taken it, I don’t hate you — just take it back to her.”