A 61-year-old woman from Interlachen has been arrested and charged with two counts of criminal mischief after authorities say she was caught stealing personal items from graves at Etoniah Cemetery and using them to decorate her home.
According to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Katherine Taylor was identified as the suspect after families visiting the cemetery began noticing mementos and decorations disappearing from their loved ones’ graves in April.
Concerned by the repeated incidents, they installed hidden cameras near the gravesites.
Footage from the cameras reportedly captured Taylor holding a wind chime taken from one grave and attempting to remove another item.
Detectives were able to identify Taylor from the video and subsequently visited her residence.
Upon executing a search at her home, deputies discovered several of the stolen grave items incorporated into her yard’s landscaping.
Some of the recovered items matched descriptions provided by the victims.
When questioned, Taylor reportedly admitted to taking the items and acknowledged that she had previously been caught doing the same thing. A review of her criminal history revealed that in 2020, the Palatka Police Department had filed larceny charges against her related to a theft from a grave at East Oak Hill Cemetery in Palatka.
Taylor was arrested on May 25 and booked into the Putnam County Jail. She was released later the same day after posting a $5,000 bond.
The Sheriff’s Office stated that the case is a painful reminder of the emotional impact such crimes can have on grieving families. “These items may seem insignificant to others, but to the families who place them, they hold deep sentimental value,” said a spokesperson for the department.
Families affected by the thefts expressed relief that an arrest had been made but were disheartened by the repeated violation of their loved ones’ final resting places. Several indicated they plan to press for stronger protections and more surveillance at local cemeteries.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have asked anyone who believes they may have been a victim of similar thefts at Etoniah Cemetery or elsewhere in the county to come forward.
Taylor is currently awaiting further court proceedings.
