JASPER, Fla. (WTXL) - When you set flowers, gifts or statues at your loved one's grave stone, it's not just for decoration; it's a way to remember, and to heal from a painful loss.
However, some families in our area say, over the past few months, they've noticed a lot of those things going missing, specifically at cemeteries in Suwannee and Hamilton counties.
Diane Cribbs visits Evergreen Cemetery in Jasper pretty often, because her son Justin is buried here. He died when he was only 12 years old.
"It was 1996 and it was out in the country. He had a go kart accident," said Cribbs. "I wanted to create a really nice memorial for him. A place where we could come and visit. Share memories, tears, hugs and kisses, which we've done."
However, when Diane visited her son's plot in late June, a granite bench that sat there for more than 20 years was gone.
"I felt sick, saddened, mad. How could anybody come and take from the dead?" asked Cribbs.
The issue is gaining attention online as people post about flowers, wreaths, balloons, even statues going missing from burial plots. Sometimes the thefts happen only hours after the items are left.
In Live Oak, City Clerk John Gill said he thinks some of this could be weather-related. He says the city also goes through once or twice a year and cleans up any rotting or neglected flowers
Most cemeteries, especially those in rural areas, are owned and run by the city or municipality where they're at. Most do not have any type of surveillance.
"They could at least lock the gate at night. That would be a start," said Cribbs. "I wish we could get the word out there that cemeteries need to be more closely guarded, because it's devastating to families that are living with a loss of a loved one."
Jasper Police Chief Jeff McGuire said the theft of the granite bench at Cribbs' plot is still under investigation.
