DENVER (AP) — A Colorado funeral home owner has pleaded guilty to one count of corpse abuse and one count of theft after being accused of leaving a woman’s body in a hearse for over a year and mishandling the cremated remains of at least 30 individuals. Miles Harford’s guilty plea in Denver is part of a case that follows a series of disturbing incidents involving funeral homes in Colorado, such as storing nearly 200 bodies in a deteriorating building and providing families with false cremated remains.
Facing multiple charges including forgery, theft, and abuse of a corpse, Harford, 34, entered into a plea agreement that dismisses some counts, but requires him to name all victims within the charges he admitted to. The agreement also holds him accountable for restitution, encompassing the dismissed charges.
Harford’s arrest occurred after the discovery of a woman named Christina Rosales, who passed away from Alzheimer’s at 63, in the back of a hearse, alongside cremated remains scattered throughout his rental property, including in the crawlspace.
Represented by lawyers from the state public defender’s office, Harford did not provide comments to the media. The court hearing did not divulge further details on the case, but the district attorney mentioned that Harford faces a possible prison term of up to 18 months.
The funeral home incidents prompted legislative action leading to new regulations for the industry in Colorado, which lacked oversight previously. The sentencing for Harford is set for June 9.
