In the middle of her 4-year-old daughter's fight with leukemia, Wauwatosa single mom Alexandrea Buer walked out to a parking lot and discovered her lifeline was gone. Sometime between Sunday night and early Monday morning, her tan Hyundai Elantra SE vanished from an apartment parking spot, leaving the family scrambling for a way to get to Children's Hospital for intensive chemotherapy and emergencies.
The timing could hardly be worse. Ava's care involves tightly scheduled treatments and strict emergency rules that can send the family racing to the hospital at a moment's notice. Now that the car is missing, that once-routine drive has turned into a daily worry about how, and how fast, they could get there.
Buer said the sedan was loaded with her children's toys, which made the theft feel less like a random crime and more like someone had rummaged through their private life. The vehicle has not been found, and Wauwatosa police say the case remains open as officers follow up on leads. As reported by TMJ4, Buer described the very real fear of not being able to rush Ava to an urgent appointment if her condition suddenly turns.
Ava’s Cancer Battle Puts Everything On Hold
Ava was diagnosed with lymphoblastic leukemia in June 2025 and has already endured port surgery, blood transfusions, biopsies, spinal taps and bone marrow procedures, according to a fundraiser set up for the family. The GoFundMe organizer explains that Buer lost her job because caring for Ava became a full-time responsibility, and that donations are meant to help keep rent, utilities and transportation covered while treatment continues. As detailed by GoFundMe, the campaign has brought in some support but still falls short of its goal.
Buer told reporters she does receive some help from the children's father and from Social Security benefits, but those funds do not come close to replacing the stolen car. With Ava's chemotherapy schedule ramping up again, dependable rides are no longer just a convenience for the family, they are a necessity. TMJ4's reporting notes the family is still trying to piece together transportation options while the police investigation plays out.
Stolen Cars Add Stress For Families Hanging On
Vehicle thefts and related crimes pop up regularly in local police logs, and past coverage has shown Hyundai Elantras among the models taken around Wauwatosa. That pattern adds a harsh layer of pressure for families who rely on a single vehicle just to get to work or, in this case, life-saving medical appointments. In earlier years, Patch highlighted a string of car thefts and catalytic converter thefts documented in Wauwatosa police reports, a reminder that a stolen car can upend a household already juggling health crises and bills.
How Neighbors Can Step Up For The Buer Family
For residents wondering how to help, the family's fundraiser is one direct way to ease the load. Organizers say donations to the GoFundMe will go toward medical costs and everyday living expenses while Ava remains in treatment. The fundraiser is posted at GoFundMe.
Anyone who has seen the stolen tan Hyundai Elantra SE or has information about the theft is urged to contact Wauwatosa police or share anonymous tips through the city's Crime Stoppers tipline and P3 Tips system. Local Wauwatosa Police Department materials outline how residents can submit tips or footage to investigators using those channels.
