80 children’s plaques stolen from Altona Memorial Park’s ‘Garden of Little Angels’ on Dohertys Rd

Heartless thieves have desecrated a memorial garden dedicated to dead children with the parents of one child describing those responsible as the “lowest of the low”.

Altona couple John and Margaret Baldacchino dropped everything on Friday morning to visit their son Anthony’s grave after they heard of the thefts.

Heartless thieves have defiled a memorial site dedicated to children who have died with about 80 plaques stolen from a garden in Melbourne’s west, leaving families devastated.

Hobsons Bay detectives are investigating after thieves targeted the Altona Memorial Park’s ‘Garden of Little Angels’ on Dohertys Rd between Tuesday and Wednesday this week.

The bronze plaques were erected by grieving families in memory of little ones who had died.

Altona couple John and Margaret Baldacchino dropped everything on Friday morning to visit their son Anthony’s grave after they learned of the “disgraceful” incident.

Memorial park staff were seen inspecting the site on Friday morning, where 80 plaques were stolen. Photo: Nilsson Jones.

Anthony’s plaque remained untouched but the couple said they were disgusted by the theft.

“It’s the lowest of low, I mean to do this you have to have no respect,” Mr Baldacchino said.

“We got a call and were told they’ve stolen the plaques, I could not believe it, it’s disgraceful.

“So I checked on my son, and across the lane for my brother and my dad, thankfully they were not touched.”

“It’s just sickening, they’ve got no heart.

“It’s a dead person’s plaque, it’s got a name on it, have some bloody respect.”

Mr Baldacchino believed it must have been kids responsible because “no adult would be capable of such a low act”.

Altona mother Lisa Cilia, who lost her daughter Emilie late in her pregnancy almost 10 years ago, said the garden was “sacred place” and that the entire community was with the families directly impacted by the theft.

Altona mother Lisa Cilia, who lost her daughter Emilie late in her pregnancy almost 10 years ago, says the garden is a “sacred place”.

“When I heard it on the radio it was extremely triggering, I didn’t expect to be as traumatised as I was,” she said.

“For me the best way to explain it is that when you carry a child you just want to care for them and when a baby is born and you can’t care for them ... this is a place when we have the opportunity to clean her plaque and bring flowers and her two little brothers help pick out a bracelet.”

“It’s gut-wrenching to see the glue remaining from the granite underneath where the plaque was

Thieves attempted to steal the bronze plaque from little Emilie’s memorial.

“There are m any babies here and we come as mothers and fathers and we meet people and it’s like a little community ... it’s not a sad place, but it is now.”

She said It appeared there was an attempt to steal her daughter Emilie’s plaque but the thieves moved on.

“The thought of (someone trying to jimmy the plaque) its like someone invading your home, I can’t protect my baby but I want to.”

She wanted to tell the families of loved ones whose plaques were stolen that the community was here for you she fought back tears.

“I can’t imagine what it would be like to come here and see glue, just glue and the remnants of where their baby’s plaque was.”

Ms Cilia estimated each plaque cost families about between $1500 and $2000, including insurance.

Bronze memorial plaques were ripped from the graves of children. Photo: Nilsson Jones.

Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust confirmed 80 graves were hit by the vandals.

GMCT chief executive Andrew Eriksen said the trust was working with police to investigate the attacks, including handing over CCTV footage.

“This type of act is highly distressing — in any instance — for the bereaved friends and family affected. The fact that the memorials impacted are those of children is all the more devastating,’’ he said.

Graves with flowers and colourful toys at the Garden of Little Angels at Altona Memorial Park. Photo: Nilsson Jones

“GMCT is firmly focused on supporting the families impacted with care and compassion.

Detectives have warned scrap metal dealers to be “wary” and report any suspicious activity or items.

Anyone with information is urged to contact crime stoppers.