The City of Vero Beach is currently defending itself in nearly a dozen open civil lawsuits, but none as potentially troubling for top city officials as a complaint from the parents of an infant interred at Crestlawn Cemetery in 2007.

The parents, local criminal defense attorney Adam Chrzan and Tanya Crovo, allege that city crews damaged their deceased infant’s casket, breaking it open with heavy equipment during irrigation work on the city-owned cemetery. The suit refers to baby Alexander Chrzan, who was born July 4, 2007, and died on Aug. 12, 2007, as A.C.

The complaint alleges “When A.C.’s casket and remains were destroyed, employees and/or representatives and/or contracted workers and/or agents were operating in their capacity as cemetery groundskeepers and/or maintenance workers and/or persons authorized by Defendant to do work at Crestlawn Cemetery were instructed by the City Manager or someone in an official capacity with the City of Vero Beach to retrieve the remains, including but not limited to human bones, remains, casket material, and casket contents and place all the aforementioned into a new casket.”

The complaint further alleges that neither the “Defendant, Crestlawn Cemetery, nor anyone on behalf of or associated with or employed by the Defendant communicated with, advised or in any way notified Plaintiffs that A.C.’s burial site, plot, casket, casket contents and/or remains were destroyed and/or disturbed.”

Chrzan and Crovo became aware of the disinterment and reburial in April 2025, but it’s still unknown when it occurred. Plaintiffs claim the city, through its cemetery, is liable for tortuous interference with a burial plot, and failing to supervise cemetery employees or contractors.

The time period in question spans the tenures of three city managers, from Jim Gabbard to Jim O’Connor to current City Manager Monte Falls.

City Attorney John Turner, when asked to comment on the allegations last week, said, “Since this matter is in litigation all I can say is the complaint alleges that city employees ‘wantonly and willfully’ mishandled the remains of an infant interred at Crestlawn Cemetery at an unknown time. The city vehemently denies these allegations, and it takes these alleged charges seriously.  We will take all necessary steps to prove these allegations false.”

The city was served on April 21 and as of press time had not yet filed an initial response. Plaintiffs are represented by attorney Tracee Ivins and Jason Melton of Whittel and Melton. Turner’s office and outside counsel William Lawton represent the city cemetery.