More graves found desecrated at cemetery

NORTHWEST MIAMI-DADE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Grave discoveries continued at a South Florida cemetery after more coffins were found desecrated.

Miami-Dade Police were called to the scene of Lincoln Park Cemetery in Miami, Wednesday, after people visiting the cemetery discovered the bodies of deceased babies missing from their graves. The bones of adults were also found scattered across the cemetery.

At least three babies have been taken from their vaults, leaving people in the area horrified. "Who would take a whole human body?" said one man. "And they took the whole bodies."

The cement covers of at least five adults have been smashed and bones have been removed. One of the vandalized graves belongs to Lizzie Pearl's late husband. Pearl went down to the cemetery to see it for herself. "That's an evil person, horrible," she said.

Others couldn't even bring themselves to come down to the cemetery, in fear of what they might find. "These graves are open, this grave is open," said Esther King, whose relative is buried in the cemetery. "And my aunt is so distraught, she can't even come out to point to where her kid may possibly be."

Some of the names on the smashed graves are unidentifiable. "If they are doing this to these bodies out here, she could be another victim," said Roy Williams, whose mother is buried in cemetery. "We don't know why they are doing it, or what the reason. I want to move my mother."

A dead chicken has been placed in one of the vacant vaults by the vandals, further raising the suspicion of the cemetery owner, Ellen Johnson, who is convinced it is the work of people who practice Voodoo or Santeria rituals. "They're crazy. It's disgusting," she said. "Oh yeah, they use animals, vegetables, fruits and all this stuff in their rituals."

"Emphasizes magic, has a use for human bones," explained Dr. Albert Wuaku, Professor of Religious Studies at Florida International University. "They need to protect themselves, they need to protect their klans against evil forces."

On Tuesday, a woman visiting the cemetery discovered a baby boy's stone tomb cracked open only to find the child's head missing. Community members patched up the vault before the new vandalism was discovered. "A little boy with a green suit- head is gone," said King.

Word of the crimes have brought out family members who have come to check on loved ones. Gloria Moseley found out her grandson's grave was OK. "I prayed all day long that it wasn't my grandbaby," she said. "I don't understand it. We have some very terrible people in this world."

Police continue to investigate the crimes.

If you have any information on this vandalism, call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward.

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