Baby's remains stolen from Wisconsin cemetery

By JIM ADAMS, Star Tribune

Last update: October 29, 2008 - 5:23 AM

The remains of an infant buried 83 years ago were dug up in the dead of night Sunday and taken from a cemetery in Barron County, Wis.

Nothing else was taken or damaged at Bandli Park Cemetery 5 miles southeast of Rice Lake, Barron County Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald said Tuesday. He speculated about a Halloween prank gone too far.

Halloween is Friday and "this time of year you kind of wonder," he said. "It's a different one. I just hope it is the last one."

The grave robbers left behind pieces of the wooden coffin, piles of dirt and the tombstone, which carries only the year 1925 and the inscription "Baby Locke."

Fitzgerald speculated the baby may have been stillborn.

Authorities say they think the incident happened overnight Sunday.

So far, sheriff's detectives have no suspects or clues about motive, Fitzgerald said.

He said he has never seen anything like this in 16 years as an officer.

The graveyard, also known as Pioneer Rest Cemetery, is still in use and is well-kept. The grave robbery has area residents concerned "about other people buried here who are from the area," Fitzgerald said. "People are worrying. We hope we can put a resolution to who [did] this."

A detective has reached a relative of the baby, but Fitzgerald said he didn't know who the person was or where the person lived.

"We are working with the crime lab," the sheriff said. "There was no trace of a body; that's why we believe something was removed from here." The robber or robbers dug a 4-foot hole that was only 20 inches wide and 54 inches long, he noted.

The sheriff said no cult or other possibly related activities have occurred in the area.

"I hope it was some sort of childish prank some kids did that got a little out of hand," Fitzgerald said. "It is disturbing. And you add that it was a baby's remains.

"It affects people."

Jim Adams • 612-673-7658