A former Arkansas mortuary worker has pleaded guilty to charges related to selling stolen body parts from medical school cadavers to a Pennsylvania man for nearly $11,000. This incident was part of a larger nationwide scheme to steal and sell human body parts from an Arkansas mortuary and Harvard Medical School. Candace Chapman Scott, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and interstate transportation of stolen property. She had initially pleaded not guilty to the charges before changing her plea in federal court.
An indictment unsealed last year accused Scott of setting up the transactions with Jeremy Pauley, a Pennsylvania man she met through a Facebook group about “oddities.” Pauley had also pleaded guilty to charges related to the theft and sale of the body parts from the Arkansas mortuary and Harvard. Scott had been employed at Arkansas Central Mortuary Services, where part of her responsibilities included transporting, cremating, and embalming remains. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock had sent remains of cadavers donated for medical students to examine to this facility.
Scott’s attorney declined to comment on the case following her guilty plea. Under the terms of a plea agreement, federal prosecutors dropped 10 other wire and mail charges that had been sought against her. She faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the charge of transporting stolen property. Additionally, she faces up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the mail fraud charge. A sentencing date for Scott has not yet been scheduled.
This case is just one of several recent arrests related to the theft and sale of human body parts from the Arkansas mortuary and Harvard Medical School. The larger scheme has been described by prosecutors as a nationwide operation, with multiple individuals involved in the illicit activities. Scott’s guilty plea is a significant development in the case, shedding light on the extent of the criminal operation and the involvement of various individuals in the illegal trade of human body parts.
The sale of stolen body parts from medical school cadavers highlights a disturbing trend in the illegal trade of human remains. These incidents not only raise ethical concerns but also pose serious health risks, as the origins and handling of such body parts are often questionable. The consequences of such actions can be severe, as evident in the criminal charges faced by individuals like Candace Chapman Scott. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding ethical standards and legal regulations in the handling and disposal of human remains to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
