Parts of at least five grave markers have been snatched in the past month, 10TV's Glenn McEntyre reported.

"(Robbers are) just breaking them off and taking them," said cemetery caretaker Martin Garner. "Why? I don't know, but they're just disappearing."

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Vandalism and theft are nothing new at the cemetery, where burials have taken place for more than 150 years. But Garner said recent thefts have targeted children's gravestones.

A statue of a child once adorned a grave monument to a three-month-old girl, but the statue was recently cut off, leaving only the stone feet on top of the monument.

"It's a sacred spot. It's sacred," Garner said. "You can't get much lower than to steal from the dead."

Cemetery officials are asking visitors to report suspicious activity.

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Circleville Police at 740-474-8888.

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