WRGT-TV FOX 45 News :: News - Top Stories - Scherrie McLin Indicted on Theft, Corruption, Tampering, Contract Violation Charges

Tuesday, February 12 2013, 08:05 PM EST

Scherrie McLin Indicted on Theft, Corruption, Tampering, Contract Violation Charges

DAYTON -- Scherrie McLin, the former owner of McLin Funeral Home, has been indicted on several counts including grand theft, corruption, tampering with records, forgery, and violation of preneeds contracts.

Prosecutors said the charges are not connected to an investigation into human remains found at a home McLin owned.

The cremated remains of 56 people were found September 18 in a vacant home at 2121 Philadelphia Drive. Property records show McLin owns the property, which was in foreclosure at the time. A contractor preparing the property for sale found the remains.

McLin faces the following charges:

• Grand theft (2 counts)
• Engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity
• Tampering with records (4 counts)
• Forgery (2 counts)
• Violation of Preneeds Contracts (7 counts)
• Theft from an elderly or disabled adult

September 18 coverage:

Cremated Remains of 56 Bodies Found in Dayton Home

UPDATE -- A gruesome discovery is made at a Dayton home. The remains of more than 50 people were found Tuesday crammed inside a closet. The home is in the 2100 block of Philadelphia Drive. Police say the remains are connected to a controversial funeral home.

The cremated remains of 56 people were taken to the Montgomery Co. Coroner’s Office. The boxes were labeled, which will make it easier for the Coroner to contact next of kin. Neighbors couldn’t believe human remains were being stored next door.

“One of the officers told us they found something that shouldn't have been there. We just assumed it was drugs. But when they told us, we were shocked,” said Simone Stone.

Neighbors say the house was a rental. Property records show former funeral home director Ccherrie McLin owns the property. It's currently in foreclosure. A contractor was there Tuesday afternoon, cleaning it up for sale, when he found the human remains.

“These remains we're mishandled. Families possibly paid to have remains disposed of another way. So there could be a serious theft or fraud issue here as well,” said Dayton Police Lt. Wendy Stiver.

“You pay someone for a service and you never get it. That's bad, that's real bad,” said neighbor, Calvin Rucker.

Police say all the boxes of cremains are labeled and there are documents connecting them to the now closed McLin Fineral Home. The state permanently revoked the licenses of both Scherrie McLin and her business earlier this year after an investigation revealed she violated state laws and regulations, including possibly burying someone in the wrong grave. Now police are working to determine the person responsible for illegally storing the ashes of loved ones in a closet.

“It's horrible. It's horrible. Whoever did it needs to be prosecuted,” said Stone.

Police say no one has been arrested. They don't know who brought the remains to the home and why. But one thing is certain, the remains are connected to the McLin Funeral Home.

Earlier coverage:

DAYTON -- A contractor makes a gruesome discovery - the remains of more than 50 people found inside a Dayton home.

The house at 2121 Philadelphia Drive is in foreclosure. A contractor came to the house on Tuesday to clean it out and found the remains of 56 people.

Police say the remains are labeled and there is documentation that connects the ashes to McLin funeral home. And property records show the house was formerly owned by the funeral home's director Scherrie McLin.

McLin funeral home had its licensed revoked and was forced to shut down last year because it was suspected of violating state laws and regulations, including possibly burying someone in the wrong grave.

The remains were in small plastic boxes in a closet. The Montgomery County Coroner's office will contact family members.

"These remains were mishandled," Dayton Police Lt. Wendy Stiver said. "Families possibly paid to have remains disposed of another way. So there could be a serious theft or fraud issue here as well."

A neighbor wants the person responsible to be held accountable.

"It's horrible, it's horrible," Simone Stone said. "Whoever did it needs to be prosecuted."

As of Tuesday evening, police hadn't made any arrests. They are still working to determine who brought the remains to this home and why. However, they do say there is a definite connection to the McLin Funeral Home.

Earlier coverage:

DAYTON -- A tip has led police to an unoccupied home at 2121 Philadelphia Drive, where they say they found the cremated remains of 56 bodies.

Police have confirmed with ABC 22/Fox 45 that the remains were in the possession of a former McLin Funeral Home employee.

We have a crew on the scene and will bring you the latest online and on ABC 22 News at 6 and Fox 45 at 6:30.

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