WTOC, Savannah, Georgia, news, weather and sports | Authorities investigating cemetery vandalism
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CLAXTON, GA (WTOC) - A tiny, historic cemetery, hidden off a quiet road in Evans County was vandalized two weeks ago. Friday night, people in and around Claxton want to know who did it.
Sheriff's deputies still have no suspects as century old gravestones, wooden markers and monuments were all pushed over and smashed.
The desecration has neighbors fuming. Step inside the small, gated Deloach-Moore Cemetery and at first glance, you may not notice anything wrong.
A closer look, and the devastation becomes clear.
"I have never seen anything like it," Genese Salter, Claxton, told WTOC.
Salter has lived in Evans County for 30 years. The vandalism at the cemetery has been the talk of the town at her Village Pizza restaurant.
"At first I was angry," Salter said. "It's heart breaking enough a family has a loved one who passes away. On top of that they have the gravesite destroyed. It's like you have to go through the heartbreak again of losing that loved one."
The tiny, secluded cemetery was the resting place for 51 people. Only seven headstones are still standing after a group of people trashed the site, tipping over markers, toppling headstones and breaking off ornamental pieces.
Many of the graves belonged to children.
"Some of these are really old headstones and you can't bring back the originality of it by replacing it," Salter said. "The families can't get that back what they meant during that time. The era they were put there."
Authorities found beer cans near the cemetery after the vandalism was discovered. Now, many of the headstones will have to be replaced. These ancient graves, dating back as far as the 1800's, have been left in ruins by people police are still trying to track down.
"It had to have been someone who knew that area," Salter said. "I hope they have to pay restitution and the families get to confront them with what they've done."
One tombstone weighed about 2,000 pounds. Deputies suspect more than one person was involved in all the destruction.
A $1,000 reward is being offered to anyone who can offer information leading to an arrest, call Evans County Sheriff's office at 912.739.1611.
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