Jan 30, 2026
Im Madi Vollmer, and Im following up on a story I first covered earlier this year. A young woman and child were buried here in 1923 a Bakersfield cold case that remains unsolved more than 100 years later. Now, a local resident caring for the grave is pushing for DNA testing to finally uncover their identities.Thats the biggest satisfaction to me being able to rejuvenate something that is so old and make it look nice and shiny for many years to come. Greg Zuniga said.At Union Cemetery, one grave continues to stand out not because of whats written on the headstone, but because someone is finally taking care of it.You know, I was just like, Im going to go ahead and restore that one for my community. And so thats exactly what I did that one and a few others around here. Greg said.Greg Zuniga is one of the owners and founders of Granite Guardians, a local headstone cleaning business here in Bakersfield.He says giving back to the community is part of his mission. Pretty much my slogan is: I do what I love, and I love what I do.Which is why he regularly cleans old and neglected headstones including those in Potters Field. Potters Field is where many of Kern Countys unclaimed and indigent are laid to rest. But to Greg, theyre more than just markers. Every life has a story thats what Im learning. Ill even Google random headstones, like what was this person known for, and you do find information out there. Greg said.Together, Greg and his fiance, Aly, work to clean and care for these graves hoping to preserve stories time almost erased.Alyssha Geraldl is the Co-owner and Founder of Granite Guardians, and she says, Any cold case like that, especially involving children, I just think they need some form of justice. So if we could get the GoFundMe going and figure out who they were, thatd be great.Greg and Aly are now launching a GoFundMe to help identify the mother and child. They also hope to use the funds to clean other old graves throughout Kern County. Tighten this to a specific runtime Write a stand-up Or punch up the emotional beats for sweepsJust say the word.MAKE TV HEADLINEStay in Touch with Us Anytime, Anywhere: Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube ...read more read less
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