Heartbreak as thieves steal from baby’s grave
Vandals also trashed the memorial to Eden
CALLOUS vandals trashed a baby’s grave in a Hinckley cemetery and stole an “irreplaceable” heart memorial.
Mum Amy Gorton, 25, and dad Lewis Hanlon, 26, were “utterly heartbroken” to find their child’s grave had been destroyed at Ashby Road Cemetery.
Thieves stole freshly potted orange gerbera flowers and peach roses from baby Eden Hanlon’s grave between August 9 and 12.
They also took a sentimental white wooden heart with the words ‘twinkle twinkle little star, do you know how loved you are?’ written on it.
Hinckley mum-of-four Amy said: “We visited Eden’s grave on Tuesday and I left some beautiful potted and fresh flowers.
“I returned on Friday evening to find the entire grave had been destroyed.
“Everything had been purposely gone through and thrown around, they took everything that didn’t have Eden’s name on the back.
“How anybody can steal from a baby’s grave is beyond me and completely sickening.
“Those possessions are all I can give my child and the heart plaque was a gift on Eden’s funeral day.
“I was utterly heartbroken, I couldn’t contain my anger and I spent the weekend at my mum’s house to calm down. I just can’t believe what happened.”
Baby Eden was born still at 24 weeks on October 29 2014.
The cemetery, which is run by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, does not have CCTV cameras.
Amy said it is the second time her baby’s grave had been ransacked after thieves stole a mini Christmas tree last December.
She said: “We put a small Christmas tree by Eden’s grave with little baubles and his name written on it on Christmas Eve.
“But that also disappeared. At the time we thought it was just the wind, but now I think it was also stolen.
“As if we haven’t been through enough, I should not have to go and visit my baby’s grave to find it has been ruined.
“If you have an ounce of remorse just take the heart back, I’m not bothered about the flowers or plants, but the heart is irreplaceable.”
She also urged the borough council to install CCTV cameras at the cemetery to prevent any further incidents.
A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said: “We are aware of a theft from a grave in Ashby Road Cemetery in Hinckley.
“It is believed to have happened between 8.50pm on August 9 and 4.30pm on August 12.
“So far we have not had any witnesses come forward and there’s no CCTV evidence available.
“If anybody has any information on the incident, please call 101 quoting incident number 16000 239 439.”