DAPHNE — Vandalism is suspected at the historic D’Olive Cemetery according to the Village Point Foundation, the organization that oversees the park.

The 200-pound headstone of Louis D’Olive, for whom the cemetery was named, was knocked off its base in the cemetery. D’Olive was the son of Dominic D’Olive and a patriarch of the family. J

ust a short distance away, a portable toilet was also overturned, leading members of the foundation to believe that vandals were to blame.

The damage was discovered Sunday during a Baldwin County Historical Society function. Foundation member Maureen Nation found the damage while giving a tour of the area. The police were called to investigate the situation and, as of Wednesday, had not filed a report. It was the opinion of the initial investigating officer that the headstone had fallen off and it was not the result of criminal mischief. Another officer is supposed to be going to look at the damage later this week, according to the police department. Vandalism is the more common term for criminal mischief.

Al Guarisco, vice chairman of the foundation said that the park has been vandalized in the past. “There have been a few incidents over the past 10 years,” Guarisco said. “The gate was torn down twice, trail signs have been removed and there was a spray-painting incident. But overall it hasn’t happened a whole lot.”

The cemetery, which dates back to the early 1800s, is home to the D’Olives, one of Daphne and Baldwin County’s oldest families. Richard “Dick” Scott Jr. is a descendent of the D’Olive family and was upset at the news that his family’s burial grounds were vandalized.

“I’m distressed that people would do this type of thing,” Scott said. “It’s very disrespectful. We had hoped our new security measures would prevent this but vandalism is hard to stop.”

The city and police department have been a great help and very cooperative in helping them take care of the park, Guarisco said.

“I don’t think there is anyone to blame but the people who did this. I don’t understand why. Why do this?”