A 34-year-old man has been arrested by police after they discovered he was carrying human remains, including those of two children, from graves in Pennsylvania. Jonathan Gerlach of Ephrata was caught emerging from Mount Moriah Cemetery and Arboretum in Yeadon with a burlap bag and a crowbar.
Law enforcement sources reported Gerlach was found with the remains of two children in the burlap bag. Police discovered “numerous bones and skulls” in plain view in the back seat of his vehicle. Investigators allege Gerlach stole remains from more than 30 gravesites across the state.
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse described the situation as “horrific,” stating: “Detectives walked into a horror movie come to life in that home.” He added: “I grieve for those who are upset by this, who are going through this, who are trying to figure out if it is in fact one of their loved ones.”
Judy Prichard McCleary, whose great-grandfather’s 1915 mausoleum at Mount Moriah Cemetery was broken into and from which remains were stolen, said: “It just made me sick to my stomach to think anyone would want to do that.” She also stated: “To be able to sell body parts on the internet just appalls me, and I just think it should be stopped.”
Rouse confirmed Gerlach was part of a Facebook group where human remains were allegedly sold and purchased online. While some burglary charges have been dropped, he faces additional charges from other counties. Gerlach has been released on $1 million bail and is held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.
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