An Auckland mother was angered to find her daughter's grave marker had been stolen. Photo / 123rf.com
An Auckland mother was angered to find her daughter's grave marker had been stolen. Photo / 123rf.com
When Samantha Saia visited her 21-week-old daughter's grave, she found it vandalised and the toys stolen.
"For a mother that's lost a child and going to their grave, it's not what you want to see," she said.
Baby Angel-Elyon Saia-Mitiana's grave marker had been stolen, as were her toys, aBarney and a heart with flowers.
"I was really angry," Saia said. "It's not acceptable."
"Why us? Have respect for a kid's grave."
Saia, who was visiting the gravesite at the Manukau Memorial Gardens with her three daughters, photographed the vandalism and took it to the cemetery's office, only to find it closed for the day.
She says she has previously complained about the neighbouring grave's decorations intruding into the space of her daughter's grave.
Baby Angel-Elyon Saia-Mitiana's grave before it was vandalised. Photo / Supplied
Saia was rushed to hospital with an infection when she was pregnant with Baby Angel-Elyon, but the infection has been passed to the infant, who died shortly after being born.
"She only got 15 breaths to take before she passed," she said.
