A heartbroken North Carolina family were left in complete shock after their five-year-old son's grave marker was repossessed by the manufacturer.

Crystal Leatherman said she and her husband, Wayne, are in disbelief after discovering the gaping hole left behind when the manufacturer removed their son Jake Leatherman's grave marker.

'He repossessed it, like it was a car,' Crystal told WBTV, referring to the manufacturer, JC Shoaf, who claims that he is owed money.

But the family said their debts were paid shortly after they buried their five-year-old son, Jake, last year.

Crystal Leatherman and her husband, Wayne, were in disbelief after they found a gaping hole (right) left behind when a manufacturer removed their son Jake's grave marker (left)

Jake (pictured) had battled juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare childhood cancer, from the time he was three years old up until his tragic death

Jake had battled juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare childhood cancer, from the time he was three years old up until his tragic death.

Crystal said she only found out about the marker when she recently went to visit her son's grave and it was gone.

'This is my lowest point,' mother Crystal told WBTV. 'He doesn't care.' The family said they are hiring an attorney.

But Shoaf claims that the couple did in fact pay in full for the child's stone; however, they made several modifications which cost them extra.

'If you buy something, you've got to pay for it. No matter what it is,' Shoaf told the station.

But Crystal and her husband, who also have a 10-year-old daughter, said they were never told about an increase in cost.

'If I would have owed him the money I would have paid him,' Crystal said. 'This is not something you argue over.'

Shoaf told WBTV that he placed the stone without a full payment because the family 'had been through so much emotionally'.

Jake (left and right) loved NASCAR and the #43 car was his favorite. 'Richard Petty is "The King" he always said,' according to his mother

More than 60 people who worked in the NASCAR (pictured) world showed up to Jake’s funeral in their racing uniforms

Matt DiBenedetto, a driver who’s hometown is Hickory and his teammate Ryan Ellis showed up to the funeral home dressed in their gear, as did driver JJ Yeley. The crew chief for Tony Stewart’s car was there as well as several crew members from Danica Patrick’s team

He also said that the issue is about paying his workers, and he does feel for the family.

'They've been through an awful lot, I know that. And right now, they're thinking emotionally, and having that grave out there unmarked - that's emotional trauma,' Shoaf said.

He said that he wants to work things out with the family - but he also wants his money.

But the Leatherman family said they are looking to use another company for a permanent marker at their son's grave.

Jake loved NASCAR and the #43 car was his favorite. 'Richard Petty is "The King" he always said,' according to his mother.

During Jake's funeral, more than 60 people who worked in the NASCAR world – including drivers, their wives and pit crew members – showed up to Jake’s funeral in their racing uniforms.

Matt DiBenedetto, a driver who’s hometown is Hickory and his teammate Ryan Ellis showed up to the funeral home dressed in their gear, as did driver JJ Yeley.

The crew chief for Tony Stewart’s car was there as well as several crew members from Danica Patrick’s team.