CINCINNATI, Ohio (AP) – Officials at a cemetery that removed a slain Iraq war veteran’s SpongeBob SquarePants headstone are planning to meet with the soldier’s family to explore possible solutions today.
Kimberly Walker’s headstone was made in the likeness of the popular cartoon character and erected at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati on Oct. 10. Her family says they were told to remove it, and an identical one built for Walker’s living sister, the next day even though the cemetery previously approved the design.
The family says they’re beyond distraught. They say the towering $13,000 headstones were perfect for Walker, who loved SpongeBob.
Walker was killed in Colorado earlier this year, allegedly by her boyfriend.
Spring Grove President Gary Freytag says the headstone was approved by an employee who made “an error in judgment.”