Swans have been a part of the Manlius community for more than 100 years.

“This community can be very transient. But the swans stay, so I get a little weepy there. But the swans are here and they are our heart," said Manlius Library storyteller Karen Porcello.

But the beloved swan family in the Village of Manlius is now smaller.

Faye, the mate of Manny, and mother – this spring – to four little cygnets, was killed by three people, including two juveniles, according to Town of Manlius police.

“We talked to the individuals that were involved. They said that they responded to the location after midnight, between midnight and three in the morning, and they hopped the fence, and two of them had held down the mom swan because she was just nesting. She wasn't fighting back and they were able to capture her," said Ken Hatter of the Town of Manlius Police Department.

Police began investigating the morning of Memorial Day after a report came in of Faye and her babies missing. Police say two cygnets were found at a store.

“There’s conflicting information," said Hatter. "The one juvenile that works at that location said that once they realized that they had the babies, the four cygnets, that he brought them to the store when he went to work the following morning and then subsequently took two of them home, they were going to raise them and keep them as pets.”

Police said the other two were found at another location with the help of a search warrant. As for Faye, police said she was served by the suspects as food to family and friends.

“It wasn't because that they were lacking in food. They were hunting, is what they just told us," Hatter said.

Three people are facing charges. Police said the suspects claim they thought Faye was a “large duck.”

On Wednesday, Manny, Faye’s mate, could be seen getting lots of love and attention at Manlius Swan Pond. But the village’s mayor said Manny won’t be staying. Swans are lifelong mates and without her, Manny could become combative.

“Manny will be removed from the pond and we’ll let the four cygnets grow up. And at that point, we'll look at hoping that two of those cygnets will mate and we'll be back to the way it used to be," said Village of Manlius Mayor Paul Whorrall.

For now, the cygnets are in the care of the village’s contracted biologist. The swans at the pond are protected because Manlius has a permit to house, breed, maintain, own and transport them.

Eman Hussan, 18, a 16-year-old and a 17-year-old, all of Syracuse, face charges, including third-degree grand larceny, second-degree criminal mischief and misdemeanor conspiracy and criminal trespass charges.

Whorrall said cameras are being installed around the pond.