"Please give my baby's presents back!" Grieving Batley mother's heartbreak

Liv Reisis with her baby Brodie, who died in October.

The greiving mother of a baby who died aged just six months old has spoken of her heartbreak after momentos were stolen from his grave.

Batley resident Liv Reisis and her partner Joi Hale tragically lost baby Brodie to a heart defect in October after he was born with abnormalities in his heart and bowel.

Still reeling from her loss, the young mother has been hit hard by thieves who removed personal items from Brodie’s grave at Batley Cemetery, including presents placed in February to celebrate what would have been his first birthday.

She said: “I’m absolutely devastated.

Little Brodie died aged six months old in October.

“I just can’t believe that my son hasn’t even been laid to rest for six months and people would do this sort of thing.

“The only way I can look after my baby now is to take good care of his grave. He was such a good little boy and he was so brave. He just does not deserve this.”

The thieves took a glass paperweight, other trinkets and solar-powered lighting that kept Brodie’s grave lit at night. Liv has appealed to those responsible to place the paperweight back in its place as it was a present from a family member.

“I just want the person who has it to please get in contact with me or put it back. It’s so sentimental to us and we just want to look after his grave.

“The things that were taken really aren’t worth much so they won’t be in it for the money. Whether it’s kids messing about or whatever, just please put the paperweight back.

“We’ve not notified the police so nobody will get into trouble. We just want our little boy’s things back.”

A spokesperson for Kirkleses Council, who maintain Batley Cemetery, said:

“The council is sorry to hear about the removal of items from this grave, and we understand how upsetting this must be.

Fortunately thefts from graves are rare, and for the most part people act in a respectful and appropriate manner when visiting or walking through our cemeteries. This is a despicable act, and we hope that whoever has taken them reflects on what they have done and returns the items.”