A 47-year-old Mt. Vernon woman has been charged in Marion County Court with unlawful removal of human remains.
Cheryl Puckett of Homestead Drive is accused in the charge without proper legal authority, she willfully and knowingly removed any portion of the remains of a deceased human from the Elder Cemetery in rural Alma. The incident reportedly occurred on or about March 13th.
Marion County Sheriff Kevin Cripps says they were called to the cemetery for criminal damage to a gravesite. The investigation showed the burial box of cremains from a cremation had been dug up. Cripps says the burial box was left, but the contents were missing.
Cripps says Puckett, who is a relative of the man whose remains were stolen, was developed as a suspect and eventually admitted to being at the graveyard and buying the shovel used to dig up the burial box, but denied being responsible for the actual removal.
Cripps says deputies have recovered the shovel, but the remains are still missing.
Puckett came into the station and explained to WJBD/WSIQ staff denying being the one who removed the remains and committed the felony.
The charge is a Class 4 felony. Puckett has been given a notice to appear in court on the charge for June 27th.