AITA For pressing charges when my stepson took something my daughter inherited from her mother?

A Reddit user shared a story about pressing charges against their stepson after he took a gold jewelry set meant for the user’s 14-year-old daughter without permission.

The heirloom, left by the daughter’s late mother, was taken so the stepson’s fiancée could wear it to a wedding. Despite being given multiple chances to return the set, the stepson stalled, leading the user to involve the authorities.

Read the full story below to see if you think they made the right decision.

‘ AITA For pressing charges when my stepson took something my daughter inherited from her mother?’

I [M47] been with my wife for 2 years. She has a 21 year old son. I have a 14 year old daughter from my previous marriage. My late wife passed away in 2014. She left a few things for our daughter. Including a gold jewelry set.

Her mom was devastated she didn’t get to gift the set to our daughter on her wedding day. I keep it in my closet since it’s expensive and my daughter is too young to have it. I’ll hopefully gift it to her on her wedding.

Last week. We were sitting in the kitchen when my stepson was hesitant to ask me something. We’re in good terms but have our fair share of arguments. He said his fiancèe was taking something from his mother’s and my closet.

Saw the jewellery set and liked it very much. He asked if he could borrow it so his fiancèe can wear it at her cousin’s wedding. I found this unacceptable I told him his fiancèe had no business being in the bedroom and that the jewellery isn’t mine.

It’s for my daughter. He asked me if my daughter will agree to let him borrow it if he talked to her. I told him not to even talk about it again. He got all pissed and said things I do not remember.

Saturday night. When he and his fiancèe were at the wedding. I discovered that the jewellery set was gone. I told my wife and we looked all over the house. I called my stepson to tell him about calling the police because I really thought someone stole the set. He said there was no need. That he borrowed it and will return it after they get back from the wedding.

I yelled at him and told him to come back with it right then. I kept calling him til 12am when he told me to stop calling and that he’d bring it in the morning.I couldn’t sleep that night I felt terrible. In the morning he showed up at 10am.

He didn’t bring it and started stalling saying: “he forgot”- “he’d bring it the next day”. At this point it was clear he gifted it to his fiancèe and was stalling. I got so mad I told him I will be pressing charges if he doesn’t return the set today. We got into an argument My wife said his fiancee was the one who wanted the jewelry set.

But he was the one who took it and it’s not even mine it’s my daughter’s which made it worse. Because I’m responsible for whatever happens to it.

His grandparents berated me after I told them this and got mad and defended him when I said that I will be pressing charges. he stole and needed to be responsible for his actions He didn’t respond to my final calls so now I’ve given him one last chance and it’s over I pressed charges today. They’re saying calling the police was extreme and cruel.

They’re all convincing me to back down.. Aita for pressing charges? He was replying to me sarcastically when I said I’d get the authorities involved and he didn’t take me seriously. His mom said she’d try to talk to him but I had enough of him stalling hoping I’ll just let it go. So he can make his fiancèe happy.

I feel like an irresponsible i**ot. I can’t even look at my daughter without feeling frustrated and infuriated. I’m hurt but what’s worse is that this is my daughter’s property that I couldn’t take care of.

My wife allows them into the room although I told her not to several times they’re not kids and there should be some boundaries. I just needed to mention that We’re in Europe.

Here’s how people reacted to the post:

stares-motherfuckily −  NTA and don’t back down. A 20 something step kid is stealing your daughter’s heirloom.. The family are all flying monkeys. Edit Dude! An award, I appreciate it

fuzzy_mic −  NTA – You gave the son every opportunity to return the jewelry. Let the cops sort out the culpability of son and fiancée. And get a safe deposit box. Mom’s and the granparent’s attitudes show that this isn’t going to be the last thing that goes missing.

justgottakeepdugging −  NTA. But be prepared this may be the hill your marriage dies on.

teresajs −  NTA. Also, tell the police the name of his fiancee so they can recover the jewelry.

rmric0 −  NTA. He stole your dead wife’s heirlooms that were meant for your daughter

UnmuscularThor −  NTA! They stole precious heirlooms from your daughter from her dead mother. Press the charges, tell the police the fiancé’s name. Do. Not. Back. Down. As for the grandparents and people opposing you, ask them how’s they feel if someone stole their dead spouses thing from you.

They’re heartless. Update us when you get the jewelry back. Edit: leave the jewelry set with a trusted family member, it’s not longer safe in that house.

moo_roo −  Why on earth do his family think this is acceptable?!?! You are absolutely NTA.

HowardProject −  NTA – DO NOT BACK DOWN. And tell your wife if she doesn’t back you up on this then she can go live with her thieving son. The fact that her entire side of the family is backing them up on this theft from your daughter says an awful lot about them and none of it good.

Environmental_Sand45 −  NTA. He doesn’t respect you or your boundries. You gave him several chances.

AllPerspicacity −  INFO – have you tried explaining to his fiance that he stole jewelry that didn’t even belong to you after being told no multiple times? I know if I expressed interest in something, I’d be thrilled if my SO brought it to me but I’d be doubly horrified if I found out they f**king stole it in my name.

Do you think pressing charges was an appropriate step to hold the stepson accountable, or was it too harsh given the family dynamics? How would you handle a situation involving stolen heirlooms and broken trust?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!