Netherlands: Theft From a Memorial Site to 2 Dead Children

Hat tip Vlad Tepes, Gates of Vienna, and RAIR Foundation USA

112 Nederland

People from all over the Netherlands are mourning the tragic deaths of two children, Jeffrey (10) and his sister Emma (8), who died after their father, Klaas Bijl (apparently estranged from his wife), allegedly abducted them and drove into a canal with his car. He and the two children all drowned.

In response, people from all over the country have brought stuffed animals to the site of the tragedy in tribute to the two children. Yet, shockingly, three young males came to the scene in the dark of night and stole many of the stuffed animals. They have since been arrested.

The article below from 112 Nederland is translated by Fousesquawk. A video of the crime (in the same article) is in the process of being translated into English and will be posted when available.

Video: Laughing youths steal stuffed animals from memorial site for Jeffrey and Emma, 3 suspects held 

Posted 26 May 2025 at 11:38

Winschoten- At the memorial site on Renselweg  for the deceased children, Jeffrey (10) and Emma (8), stuffed animals were stolen. On video images circulating on social media, two young men can be seen in the dark rummaging through the stuffed animals, laughing and taking some large stuffed animals with them. They shouted, "Quickly, quickly. They don't fit in the car."

The video was shared with De Telegraaf by shocked bystanders. Since Wednesday morning, dozens of stuffed animals, mostly teddy bears, have been laid at the memorial site. People from all over the country brought stuffed animals as a tribute to the children who died after their father took them from Beerta and ended up in the water with his car.

Police confirm that three suspects have now been arrested: a 20-year-old man from Leeuwarden, a 20-year-old man from Winschoten, and a minor from Winschoten. They are suspected of theft. The stolen stuffed animals were recovered and returned to the memorial site. The family of the children will make a statement later. On Wednesday, a silent march will be held in memory of  Jeffrey and Emma.