Girl gets new teddy with late mum's heartbeat after accidentally donating original

A four-year-old has received a new teddy bear with her late mum's heartbeat after her original one was accidentally donated.

Her father, Tylor Kennedy, made a desperate plea to the public, telling them to return the toy to the family if they had seen it.

“My daughter’s mom passed away and her grandma made her bear with her mom’s heartbeat in it,” Kennedy said.

He added that when you squeeze the bear's paw, you can hear a recording of his late wife's heartbeat.

Somehow, the teddy ended up in a donation bag dropped off at a Good Will store in Tazewell.

“Please, if y’all find it or see anybody that has one, just check or turn it into and I believe that somebody will get a reward if they dropped it off. I mean I know they’ll get their money back for sure,” he continued.

Cindy Dodson, a representative for Goodwill Industries-Knoxville, told PEOPLE: "They didn't realise it was in there until they went to get the bear.

"And it had already been sold by the time they came back to the store to see if it was there.

"When items come in, our staff automatically want to get them out on the floor."

However, when word reached Build-A-Bear, the story touched them so much that they kindly decided to make a replica of the rainbow teddy for the young girl.

"The staff at Build-A-Bear were heartbroken to hear the news," the company said in a statement to PEOPLE.

"Understanding how precious furry friends often are, the team at the warehouse (otherwise known as the 'Bearhouse') reached out to the local radio station, WRIL, that originally aired the story."

After receiving audio of the late mum's heartbeat, the toy company was able to install it inside the bear.

"While we remain hopeful that the original bear is located, it is our sincere wish that this new teddy bear will provide a bit of comfort for the child and the family at this time," a rep for Build-A-Bear said.