75-Year-Old Woman Stole Grave Decorations, Then Told Police They Just Appeared on Her Deck

Added: 2026-05-30

[00:00:00]On October 5th, 2025, deputies with the Whiteside County Sheriff's Office responded to a reported theft involving two handmade decorative pumpkins that had been taken from a child's grave at Oak Null Cemetery in Sterling. Only a few days after discovering the decorations were missing, a family member reportedly spotted the pumpkin sitting openly outside a nearby property.

[00:00:22]>> I didn't know why. I thought, I think you missed me.

[00:00:25]>> No, we didn't know if you'd be home yet.

[00:00:27]>> Oh, yeah. So tell me how you came about these.

[00:00:32]>> Those are the two. They just were sitting on my deck over here. So it was going to rain. So that pink one, it's very heavy. I picked it up and I put it in the store window so it wouldn't get wet.

[00:00:47]>> Okay.

[00:00:47]>> And this one's been here for probably 2 years.

[00:00:52]>> Okay. What about that one?

[00:00:54]>> That one? That one appeared, too.

[00:00:57]>> Okay. Okay. That's been here about 5 years.

[00:01:00]>> Okay. So, those these are the two I'm talking about that we took complaints about. One was stolen a while back >> and one was stolen fairly recent.

[00:01:10]>> Okay.

[00:01:11]>> Okay. That one.

[00:01:14]>> I know it's been here probably >> at least four years.

[00:01:20]>> Okay. So, and it sits out from end of September until after Thanksgiving.

[00:01:28]>> And And both of them were just set here on your deck.

[00:01:31]>> Yes.

[00:01:32]>> Okay. You didn't pick them up anywhere?

[00:01:34]>> No.

[00:01:34]>> Okay.

[00:01:36]>> You don't know where they would have come from?

[00:01:39]>> These are just decorations I've accumulated through the years.

[00:01:43]>> Okay. You didn't pick these up at, did you?

[00:01:47]>> No.

[00:01:48]>> Okay. cuz that's where they were taken from. I'll be straight with you. I find it hard to believe that someone would have just hauled these over here and just set them here.

[00:01:57]>> I don't I can't tell you. I really I really can't.

[00:02:00]>> I mean, it I had them in the window. It wasn't like I was hiding them.

[00:02:06]>> No, I I understand that.

[00:02:07]>> According to the report, these were not ordinary store-bought decorations. The pumpkins had been personally handmade by a grieving mother and placed at her daughter's grave site, making them highly unique and easily recognizable to both the family and investigators.

[00:02:21]>> They were definitely taken. I mean, they sent us pictures and and stuff of them from before when they were taken. So, we know that they're there, the ones. Okay.

[00:02:31]And they're pretty oneoff. They were kind of molded by someone like made specifically uh through a mold by with concrete. So >> yeah, because that that's >> very distinguishable.

[00:02:44]>> Very heavy. I mean, it took all of me to go from there out to here.

[00:02:49]>> Okay. So, we'll probably collect them and get them back to the owner. Okay.

[00:02:55]>> Uh we may forward a report over to the state's attorney's office just saying where we collected them from. Okay.

[00:03:00]>> Sure.

[00:03:01]>> Like I said, these were taken off a grave and uh the owner's pretty upset.

[00:03:06]>> Sure, they should.

[00:03:07]>> You know what I mean? So, they probably want something done. So, we're going to send a report forward just saying that you were in possession of them. Okay.

[00:03:15]>> Sure. Sure.

[00:03:16]>> Um, so if you think if you can think back real hard of how you came came about them, that' probably be better for you. Okay.

[00:03:22]>> These they were just here. I'm not kidding.

[00:03:25]>> Okay. All right. We already took some photos when we were here earlier just cuz we saw them. We were trying to make contact with you. If you see my card in the door, >> I did. I got that.

[00:03:33]>> Um, you can disregard it now because I talked to you. Unless you come up with some information about where they came from or or want to talk to me about any of that >> because I I don't have things stolen here.

[00:03:44]>> So far, she's sticking with the hard to believe story that these decorations had randomly shown up on her porch. But as deputies continue pressing for answers and begin mentioning possible evidence that could contradict her story. Her confidence in that explanation quickly appears to change. Do you do you think if I went to and looked at their cameras that you'd be on there? Would you be in in the cemetery at all coming or going?

[00:04:10]Do you ever go over there?

[00:04:11]>> I go over there. I was over there trying to think a week ago to visit my dad's grave.

[00:04:20]>> Okay. And did you take it when you were over there?

[00:04:23]>> Take what?

[00:04:23]>> The pumpkin.

[00:04:24]>> No. I'd hate for you to lie to me and and you're on camera here lying to me.

[00:04:29]Just come forward. If you a lot more if you if you saw it there and you thought they were cute and you took them, I can at least explain that to the owner as opposed to going back to her and saying, "Hey," she's just saying they showed up here cuz I I find that hard to believe.

[00:04:45]Okay.

[00:04:46]>> Okay.

[00:04:46]>> Did you take them? Yes, I did. Okay. How when did you take the first one?

[00:04:50]>> That one? Three years ago.

[00:04:53]>> Okay. Okay. Before you answer any more questions, you you understand that theft's a crime, right?

[00:05:00]>> Okay. So, I'm going to read your rights.

[00:05:01]I want to talk to you more without uh >> and I apologize.

[00:05:06]>> Okay.

[00:05:07]>> I got it here.

[00:05:08]>> Been a little tough for me since my husband died.

[00:05:12]>> Give me one sec. I'll read this to you and then we can talk about anything you want or or nothing. Okay. She agrees to continue speaking with deputies and begins to provide a much more detailed and candid account of how she ended up with the pumpkins.

[00:05:25]>> Okay. Do you want to talk to me?

[00:05:26]>> Yeah.

[00:05:27]>> Okay. So, so tell me about the first one first and we'll go from there.

[00:05:31]>> They um they take all the decorations off and throw them away.

[00:05:35]>> Okay.

[00:05:35]>> And I thought, well, that's a shame to throw that away.

[00:05:39]>> Okay. And was it on a grave at the time you you grabbed it or had they already thrown it out? be straight with me.

[00:05:48]>> No, I'm just trying to think. It was sitting >> in the back. There was some other flowers there, so I don't know.

[00:05:57]>> Okay. And how about this one?

[00:06:00]>> That one?

[00:06:00]>> Not this one right here.

[00:06:01]>> That one I did.

[00:06:02]>> Okay.

[00:06:03]>> I thought they were going to throw it away.

[00:06:05]>> Okay. What time period did you did you get a hold of that one?

[00:06:09]>> Let me think. Just a minute.

[00:06:10]>> Sure.

[00:06:11]>> I think Monday.

[00:06:15]>> Okay. or Tuesday. Wait just a minute.

[00:06:19]Saturday.

[00:06:19]>> Saturday.

[00:06:20]>> I'm sorry. Saturday.

[00:06:21]>> Okay. And you saw it out there, thought it was cute, and thought >> Well, I thought they were going to throw it away.

[00:06:26]>> Okay. Okay. Well, just so you know, anybody's stuff out there, if if it's going to be tossed out, let let them do it. Okay. And then if has a spot where they collect all the tossed out things and and they're okay with you gathering it from there, that's one thing. But going to a grave site, you could understand where someone would be very upset.

[00:06:49]>> I I'll be frank with you. This was for someone's little girl that that passed away and she made it specially for that little girl and said it out there and you could understand why that'd be very upsetting to that person, right? Okay.

[00:07:03]>> The deputies notice a third pumpkin that wasn't included in the original report.

[00:07:07]And when asked about it, her response adds another layer to the investigation, suggesting this may not have been an isolated incident. Have you taken anything else from the cemetery we need to know about?

[00:07:18]>> No.

[00:07:19]>> Was that taken from somewhere?

[00:07:21]>> Yeah, from Oh, no.

[00:07:23]>> Okay.

[00:07:23]>> That was um the day after they were going to throw everything away.

[00:07:31]>> Okay. Was that on a grave or was it >> That was No, that was just sitting >> I don't know if this had blown over, but it wasn't on a grave.

[00:07:42]>> Okay. Is this out about in the cemetery?

[00:07:45]>> Yes.

[00:07:46]>> Was it nearby that one or >> No.

[00:07:49]>> No. Okay.

[00:07:50]>> No. This was probably 2 years ago.

[00:07:53]>> Oh, okay. When does Wind usually clear the graves of of stuff? Do you know a date?

[00:08:00]>> October 6th through the 10th.

[00:08:04]>> Is that what they do?

[00:08:05]>> Yeah.

[00:08:05]>> Okay. Well, we have to talk to the victim in this.

[00:08:10]>> Yes.

[00:08:10]>> And ultimately, they'll be the decider.

[00:08:12]That's right.

[00:08:13]>> We'll we'll pass on information to them about what we talked to you about >> and they'll ultimately be the decider on whether they'd like to press charges or not.

[00:08:21]>> Sure.

[00:08:22]>> What that would mean for you is if they wanted to do that, we'd have them come in and sign complaints, >> right?

[00:08:28]>> And then I would come and issue you a court date, >> right?

[00:08:31]>> And then you'd have to go to court to answer for this, right?

[00:08:33]>> The deputy explains that whether this moves forward is ultimately up to the victim and her decision on how she wants to proceed. At that point, the matter appears to be nearing a pause in the field, but as you'll see shortly, the case doesn't end here.

[00:08:46]>> Okay. Um, I appreciate you being honest with me. I, like I said, it it it didn't make sense to me that it was just sat out here. And and one thing's for sure, I honesty goes a long way with me, okay?

[00:08:58]So, I'm not going to issue you a court date or arrest you or anything right now for for theft, but know that it could come if they want to press the issue.

[00:09:06]Okay?

[00:09:07]What we'll try to do is get this back to them, talk to them, and have them make a decision, okay?

[00:09:13]>> And tell her that I apologize.

[00:09:19]And I also have asked forgiveness from God.

[00:09:26]>> Okay?

[00:09:26]>> I believe in God and Jesus and I have asked forgiveness. So she could if she wants to sign a complaint, that's fine.

[00:09:35]But would you let her know that I'm asking for her forgiveness?

[00:09:38]>> I will. I can appreciate that. Let me say this to you, okay? Like I like I kind of alluded to earlier, if it isn't yours, don't grab it. Cuz I don't want to come back here in this circumstance.

[00:09:48]So >> if if it isn't yours, leave it. And probably don't go to Don't take anything from >> Okay. She may put more out. And if I find out, who's the first person I'm gonna come to, right?

[00:09:58]>> Oh, no. I mean, I won't. No. It was a stupid thing to do, but like I said, I thought they're going to throw that away.

[00:10:08]>> Yeah.

[00:10:08]>> And and >> well, like I said, the her her intent seemed to be that she would collect it.

[00:10:14]Just probably not till the last minute or whatever. But uh just know that >> uh anything out there if they do throw it away, they throw it away, but it isn't yours to to decide. Okay.

[00:10:26]>> So, we'll we'll take those now and uh get out of your hair. Okay. Okay.

[00:10:30]I appreciate you being honest with me.

[00:10:32]All right.

[00:10:32]>> Sure. Sure.

[00:10:34]>> Those aren't heavy, huh?

[00:10:35]>> Yeah, they are.

[00:10:35]>> Jeez.

[00:10:40]>> I think about setting them in one of those totes. That's the one I'm clanking around.

[00:10:43]>> Yeah. Yeah. Let's You'll be able to lift it up in there. Hopefully.

[00:11:02]The deputies later return the pumpkins to their owner and speak with her about how she wants to proceed with the case.

[00:11:08]The following day, they meet with the suspect again to provide an update on where the investigation stands and what comes next. And unfortunately for the woman, the victim was not so forgiving in how she chose to proceed with the situation.

[00:11:22]>> Mom, I sit sit there or >> Yeah, you can sit there. That's fine.

[00:11:25]Okay.

[00:11:26]>> So, I'll just This is a a notice to appear in court. The the charge is theft and that's the deputy's name there. This is your information. It's saying you have to be in Morrison Court on the 10th of November at 9:00 a.m. Do you know where the courthouse is there?

[00:11:44]>> Mhm.

[00:11:45]>> Okay. Um, just make sure you show up.

[00:11:48]They could issue a warrant if you don't show up there. Okay.

[00:11:51]>> Years years ago, I worked at the state attorney's office.

[00:11:54]>> Oh, gotcha. Okay. Um, so I'll I'm going to have you give me a signature here just saying that I'm giving you a copy of this and we'll put the date. I'll give you a pen. It's not an admission of guilt. Just saying that I'll give you a copy of this. Okay.

[00:12:08]>> Okay.

[00:12:08]>> Here's this pen. You can use this.

[00:12:10]>> Yeah. I'm just trying to put something on.

[00:12:13]>> Yeah, you can do it on your hood or if >> or the wind window here.

[00:12:20]So, >> your signature would go here and we'll put the date there.

[00:12:25]>> Okay. And then where is the complaint then?

[00:12:30]>> What do you mean?

[00:12:32]>> Don't you have a >> written? A a complaint is signed by the victim and then forwarded to the state's attorney's office. I don't give you the complaint. Oh, >> okay. Okay.

[00:12:42]>> So, this this is just saying this is what the complaint is about and that you have to show up in court on that date.

[00:12:49]Okay.

[00:12:50]>> Okay. Is this a misdemeanor?

[00:12:51]>> Yeah.

[00:12:52]>> Okay.

[00:12:53]>> So, down here.

[00:12:54]>> I'm sorry.

[00:12:54]>> Yep. That's all right.

[00:12:56]>> Okay. And he's going to give you a copy of it.

[00:12:59]>> Okay.

[00:12:59]>> That's going to be your copy.

[00:13:00]>> Yep.

[00:13:01]>> I give that. Um, any questions about it?

[00:13:04]>> No.

[00:13:05]>> Okay.

[00:13:05]>> No. Just thank you for your professional courtesy.

[00:13:10]>> Okay. And I wish you luck. Okay. Just make sure you make that court date. All right.

[00:13:14]>> Oh, yeah. I will.

[00:13:15]>> Okay. Thank you, ma'am.

[00:13:17]>> Okay.

[00:13:21]>> The woman was ultimately charged with misdemeanor theft in connection with the stolen cemetery decorations. According to court records, she later accepted a plea agreement and was sentenced to 12 months of court supervision, meaning she can potentially avoid a formal conviction if she successfully completes the terms ordered by the court. She was also ordered to complete 20 hours of community service and pay nearly $1,000 in fines and court costs. What are your thoughts on this case? Please leave a like, subscribe, and comment your thoughts below. Thanks for watching.