A 10-year-old girl has asked police to test a half-eaten cookie to prove if Santa exists.
Scarlett Doumato, from Rhode Island, sent a package to the Cumberland Police Department containing a letter and leftovers from when Saint Nick had apparently paid her a visit on Christmas night, as per the Daily Mail.
In her adorable letter, the young girl wrote: “Dear Cumberland Police Department, I took a sample of a cookie and carrots that I left for Santa and the reindeer on Christmas Eve and was wondering if you could take a sample of DNA and see if Santa is real?”
Police Chief Matthew Benson immediately instructed his Investigative Division to forward the young girl the evidence to the State of Rhode Island’s Department of Health Forensic Sciences Unit for analysis.
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He said in a statement: “This young lady obviously has a keen sense for truth and the investigative process and did a tremendous job packaging her evidence for submission.
"We will do our very best to provide answers for her.”
While the department awaits test results, officials have already been in contact with Scarlett to reveal they have some darning evidence that the man in red was in her neighbourhood.
The evidence included some mock-up CCTV footage of a reindeer in the area, as well as a witness who spotted an individual who matched Santa’s description.
While speaking to WJAR, Chief Benson said he would play along to help foster the child's imagination and investigation skills.
Scarlett’s mother, Alyson Doumato, told the outlet that her daughter has always been a bit ‘skeptical’.
While Scarlett said: “I’ve always watched crime shows and I thought it would be cool to be a detective.”
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Of course, many were touched by department's efforts, as one person wrote: “I absolutely love this!! Thank you Chief Benson for going above & beyond to keep the magic of Christmas alive. I have no doubt that your findings will come back as Santa Claus & one of his amazing reindeers. This world needs to hear more of these heartwarming stories.”
Another said: “This is amazing! Thank you Chief, for honouring this smart young child’s imagination! I hope you find the truth out for her! If Santa is found ‘guilty’ please go lightly on him…it’s not really breaking and entering, it’s breaking and delivering!”
Surely it’s not a home invasion if you leave a gift?
While another shared: “This child will remember this for the rest of their life! Kudos for doing this!”
Charisa Bossinakis