Infant’s Body Found Alongside Broken Casket at Cemetery; Investigation Underway

On Wednesday, West Virginia police arrested a gravedigger for displacing an infant boy who was buried in 1982.

Last week, an individual phoned 911 after stumbling upon a baby while placing decorations at Baylous Cemetery in Salt Rock. An inquiry revealed that Matthew Fortner, 49, who had been hired by the cemetery, was excavating a burial site for another person when he unearthed the infant’s coffin and negligently disposed of it on a slope, as reported by WOWK.

The infant, estimated to be only a few months old, was located in the center of the cemetery. The damaged casket of the baby was found nearby, on the hillside. Details from a criminal report indicated that fragments of the infant’s destroyed coffin matched pieces discovered inside the grave that Fortner had reportedly excavated.

RELATED: Infant’s Body Found Alongside Broken Casket at Cemetery

WCHS reported that the baby boy’s right arm and right foot were removed, but it’s unclear how that occurred.

Sheriff Doug Adams of Cabell County remarked, “He [Fortner] was in the process of digging a grave adjacent to the plot of this baby, and during the excavation, he uncovered the casket belonging to this infant. However, instead of taking appropriate action, he callously discarded it over the hillside,” according to West Virginia MetroNews. Adams also mentioned, “We are currently awaiting further evidence from the laboratory and the state medical examiner’s office.”

According to WSAZ, Fortner has a murder conviction for which he was sentenced to life with mercy in 1999. He was paroled in 2008, two years after his murder conviction was set aside and he was sentenced to attempted first-degree robbery.

Fortner is charged with disinterment or displacement of a dead body or part thereof, damage to a cemetery or graveyard, and violating protection of human skeletal remains, grave artifacts and grave markers. His bond was set at $105,000.

Fortner is due in court on April 10.

[Feature Photo: WOWK]

 

 

You May Also Like

Car crashes into crowd celebrating PSG Champions League win in Grenoble, leaving four injured and a woman in critical condition

FOUR people were left seriously injured after a car ploughed into a…

Conflict arises over trans athlete AB Hernandez in California with fan detained for damaging car with Pride flag

VIOLENT protests have erupted in California after a trans athlete served a…

Passenger removed from TUI flight by police for hitting cabin crew and shouting about a plane crash while appearing to be intoxicated

THIS is the shocking moment a passenger was arrested after allegedly smacking…

Romesh Ranganathan announces unexpected decision to take a break from his career, clarifies he is not quitting.

Romesh Ranganathan has revealed he’s hitting pause on his hectic showbiz schedule…

Contestant from Race Across The World dies in car accident at age 24, commemorated by family in heartfelt tribute

Race Across The World star Sam Gardiner has died in a car crash…

Trump spreads the belief that Joe Biden passed away in 2020 and was substituted with a clone.

On Saturday night, President Donald Trump took to social media to propagate a strange…

Retailers openly disregard new ban on disposable vapes, claiming lack of communication about the law’s enforcement.

Shopkeepers flouted the new vapes crackdown today by selling single-use e-cigarettes on…

Legendary British boxer plans to run for Mayor of London on a Reform platform following his friendship with Nigel Farage

DEREK Chisora is eyeing up his toughest fight yet – to become…

Be on the Lookout: Authorities Need Information on Washington Kids Who Have Been Missing for Days

Law enforcement is seeking public tips in connection with three young girls…

British citizen detained by the United States on allegations of espionage and conspiracy on behalf of China

A BRITISH businessman has been accused of spying and plotting to smuggle…

Starmer pledges to boost Britain’s military strength amid rising nuclear threats from Russia, Iran, and North Korea

Keir Starmer warned that Britain must be ready for war today as…

“Fans Point Out Major Issue with Billie Piper’s Return as Next Time Lord in Doctor Who After Mysterious Statement”

Doctor Who enthusiasts were extremely excited on Saturday night when the astonishing…