Tragic toddler’s grave desecrated by vandals
Reporter: Andrew Rudkin
Date published: 22 December 2011
THE grandmother of a toddler who tragically died a year ago has spoken of her disgust after the tot’s grave was vandalised.
The relatives of 18-month-old Brooklyn Dylan Wright have been left devastated by vandalism to the final resting place of their “little pudding”, exactly 12 months after her burial.
A solar-powered Christmas tree tenderly created by her grandfather, Francis Cioffi, was ripped out of the ground and stolen from Greenacres Cemetery. Flowers, cards and ornaments were strewn around.
“I have never felt so sick in my life,” said her grandmother, Angela Cioffi (49), who lives in Huddersfield. “It hurts so much to think people can do this. We are all still struggling with what happened to Brooklyn and then this happens. “I was beginning to feel more comfortable going to the grave. This takes you back to day one.”
The Chronicle reported days before last Christmas how much-loved Brooklyn was put to bed one night and heartbreakingly didn’t wake up the following morning. The cause of death was given as bronchopneumonia. Mum Sarah Cioffi (22), who moved from Oldham to Huddersfield, told how her daughter’s presents, already lovingly placed under the Christmas tree, were donated to charity to benefit other children in her memory.
Brooklyn’s stolen tree, which is silver with pink lights, was taken from the grave last weekend — referred to by the family as a “garden”. Brooklyn lies with her great-great grandparents, Hilda and Thomas Collins.
Great aunt Adele Griffiths discovered the scene on Monday morning and said: “It’s 12 months since we buried her and everything still feels raw. It is really upsetting and I just burst into tears when I realised what had happened.”
Earlier this week, the Chronicle published a letter from local resident Philip Kershaw, who told readers how flowers that he had put on his mother’s grave in Lees Cemetery had been taken, along with a vase inscribed “In loving memory”.
Saddleworth councillor Valerie Sedgwick was left angered after hearing about both incidents.
She said: “Christmas is an emotional time of the year and families do not need this. It is appalling what has happened. The people who commit these crimes are just lowlife.”
If anyone can help police with their enquiries, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
