A Chatham woman says she's feeling heavy-hearted after her father's grave marker was apparently stolen.
It started on Monday when Sherry Carter went to Maple Leaf Cemetery in Chatham. Carter was on her way to visit her father's grave and lay down some flowers in honour of his birthday.
However, Carter said she quickly realized that something wasn't right.
"I noticed that the brass plaque was gone," she said. "It was just a white square cement piece out there."
According to Carter, the cement block that the plaque was on had been pulled out from the ground and damaged during the process.
The grave marker had been in place since 2005, with no previous issues. Carter said since the theft happened, she's been thinking about it non-stop while also trying to wrap her head around what kind of person would do such a thing.
"It's very disheartening," she said. "I've spent the last few days trying to call the scrap yards. I've contacted the police. I've spoken to several of the people who work for the cemetery and the city. I've tried to do whatever I could to try and locate it but so far no luck."
According to Carter, her father's gravesite sits on a family plot. Besides the material possession being stolen, Carter said it feels like her dad's identity was taken along with it as well.
"All of my other relatives have their name and he's just laying out there nameless right now," she said.
Since Carter shared her experience on a local Facebook group, the post has garnered dozens of reactions. Carter said she's received several messages of support and well as messages from people who are in disbelief that something like this could happen. In addition, she said several people have reached out to her and offered to go out to the gravesite and plant flowers to try and lift her spirits.
Carter added that the staff at the cemetery have been equally as supportive and saddened to see what happened.
"They're doing all they can to make sure things stay safe out there," she explained. "They are just as disheartened as I am."
Although the experience has come to a shock to Carter and many people in the community, Constable Renee Cowell with Chatham-Kent Police Service said this is far from the first theft of its kind.
"Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for us to receive reports of thefts of bronze vases and plaques from gravesites. Those responsible usually sell the items as ‘scrap metal’ for cash. I can tell you that the municipality now has a by-law in place that mandates salvage yards to register, photograph and keep items untouched for three days. This allows us the time to conduct follow-up of incidents of theft," said Cowell. "This may not stop people from stealing but we’re hopeful that it will hold those responsible accountable and more importantly, that the items stolen from gravesites, may be returned to their rightful owners."
Cowell said she encourages anyone who experiences a similar situation to immediately contact police and report it. She recommended the same course of action for anyone who sees or hears anything suspicious.
As for Carter, she said the theft of the grave marker has left her fearful to leave anything else out at the gravesite over worries it will also be stolen.
For the person who did steal it, Carter is begging them to return it back to the rightful owner or return it to the gravesite anonymously.
"If someone did take it to take the scrap yard, I would gladly pay more than what they'll get for the weight in the brass," said Carter.
Cowell also urged anyone with any information on the incident to call Chatham-Kent police or contact Crime Stoppers.