BEAUMONT, Texas — More families have come forward claiming a Beaumont business took their money and never delivered. And to make matters worse, it's linked with the grief of loved ones.
The families say they all ordered grave-markers from Sabine Monument Company in Beaumont. They say the business has promised them headstones but has since locked its doors, disconnected its phone and filed for bankruptcy.
Cesar Alvarez, 26, passed away suddenly last September. After his death, the family did what anyone would do. They tried to give him a proper burial and a nice headstone.
His mother, Idolina Gonzales said she had to sell his truck to pay for the stone.
"I had sold his truck to have money for the headstone even though I still had to pay for the funeral and even though I had to pay student loans I just really wanted the last gift for my baby to be something nice," Gonzales said.
Gonzales, Cesars' mother, says this has been the hardest year of her life. She says the hardest part is having someone take advantage of her grief.
This isn't the only family that has complained about the Sabine Monument Company.
Jay Sheppard with the Better Business Bureau says business has received 28 complaints over the last three years.
"The complaints are all the same. They paid for a headstone and it genuinely does take time so they were patient waiting for it to be completed and then they finally ran out of patience," Sheppard said.
Sheppard says it is important to always check the business' rating on their website before handing over money and to always pay with a card.
Jefferson County District Attorney, Bob Wortham, says if this is something that also happened to you that you are urged to file a complaint with your local police department. He says he hopes to gather as many complaints as he can.
For now, friends are coming together to raise money for a new headstone. Layton Weeks began a GoFundMe that has already raised over $200.
