Family Sneaks Dead Woman From Nursing Home

(CBS) NEW YORK Prosecutors in New York have decided not to press charges against a family that allegedly snuck a dead body out of a nursing home.

Police found the body in a Mahopac home, on a bed, dressed in nice clothing. The 30-mile journey from the nursing home to the house is odd, but according to professionals, not illegal.

Administrator Bonnie Burke said the staff at the St. Joseph's nursing home was horrified when the body suddenly disappeared.

The 76-year-old woman died of natural causes late Wednesday night. Family members went to St. Joe's and were granted privacy to grieve.

As staff prepared to call a funeral home, family members said they wished to remove the dead woman's belongings, and began using a wheelchair to take her possessions to their car.

Surveillance video shows they covered the body to sneak it past security, and then arranged the nursing home bed to hide what they had done.

Police said family members brought the body to their home to honor a tradition of their Asian culture.

Members of the Carmel Police Department said the dead woman was treated with dignity and no charges would be filed. St. Joseph's said it's treating this event as an isolated incident, but they add, staff will review procedures for dealing with families when residents pass away.

cbs11tv.com - Family Sneaks Dead Woman From Nursing Home