To anyone with family and friends buried at Butler cemeteries — or those who expect to be buried in one of them eventually — the news that someone had dug up a grave over the weekend in North Side Cemetery on North Main Street had to be unsettling.

Desecration of a grave goes against this city’s pride in touting itself as a church-going community. That the desecrated grave was that of a boy who died tragically 100 years ago is no less troubling than desecration of the grave of a person who died last year.

Whatever the motivation for last weekend’s crime, the prospect is sobering that Butler residents might have grave robbers living amongst them.

And, worse, if this incident goes unsolved, what might be next?

In March 2008, also on a weekend and also at North Side, vandals desecrated seven graves by spray-painting expletives, nonsensical markings and other graffiti on tombstones. Last weekend, at the same cemetery, those responsible for the desecration were brazen enough to engage in what had to have been an hours-long operation in which a hole measuring 2 feet wide, 4 feet long and about 5 feet deep was dug.

It’s impossible to know what they did or did not find.

While the possibility exists that the individuals found nothing because of the age of the grave and the way people were buried a century ago, the troubling prospect remains that something could have been found. If so, that something might be aimed for use at some kind of ritual.

Upon learning of the incident, cemetery officials and police understandably were perplexed and speculating about the intent behind the crime.

Are those who dug up the grave satanic worshipers or vandals who, along with their unconscionable intent, would be adjudged as warped by any right-thinking person? Was this a crime by a person or persons who enjoy taking a risk — and who might try to dig up another grave in the future?

If this was a Halloween-based prank, it was a sick one.

If anyone has information or suspicions about the identities of the persons responsible, it is to be hoped that they will come forward and contact authorities.

When immature individuals who desecrate graves escape justice, people can only wonder who or what they might target next.

Indeed, considering what happened in March 2008, there are grounds for wondering whether the same individuals might be responsible for what happened last weekend — whether last weekend’s incident was an outgrowth of courage derived from not getting caught three years ago.

Cemeteries are regarded by many as sacred ground to be treated with great respect. Even those who don’t see themselves as religious understand the special status that cemeteries should be given.

The individuals responsible for last weekend’s incident need to reflect on their despicable act as they ponder what their penalty might be if they are caught.

The crime in question does not align with Butler’s character, or the character the community wants to present, and authorities must not rest until that message is appropriately delivered — in person.

The last thing Butler needs is to be tainted by grave robbers.