Johnstown police are investigating the owner of the Ehle and Barnett Family Funeral Home, who could face criminal charges in the probe, according to Johnstown police chief.
Last weekend, police obtained a warrant to search the property and discovered improperly stored human remains. Johnstown Police Chief David Gilbo described what detectives found inside the Ehle and Barnett Family Funeral Home.
“Bodies that were left around with children’s toys and in areas where the children were in the residence and had access to and had to pass by,” Gilbo said. “There were three human remains recovered from the property and 18 cremated remains, 12 of which we had some labeling or names on them.”
What You Need To Know
- Three human remains and 18 cremated remains were recovered from the Ehle and Barnett Funeral Home
- Police intend on arresting the owner Brian Barnett on several charges, including endangering the welfare of a child
- It’s unclear as to why but Barnett’s licenses were suspended by the state late last year
A search warrant of the funeral home was executed last weekend after its owner, Brian Barnett, was pulled over with a body in his vehicle that was meant to be cremated.
“So far, we have nothing to really show as far as motive, except for the need for money,” Gilbo said.
Barnett was taken to the hospital for evaluation after being interviewed by police. The chief would not explain why, but said a warrant had been filed for the 35-year-old’s arrest.
“Three counts of concealment of a corpse, one count of grand larceny, two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, three other charges that fall under the public health law,” Gilbo said.
It’s unclear as to why but Barnett’s licenses to operate a funeral home were suspended by the state late last year.
A judge has yet to sign off on the warrant.
All of the remains are being examined by the Fulton County Coroner’s Office, who is working to identify the unknown and to verify the remains containing documentation.
“Your cremation containers have a name on the box, the inside container and then inside that container. It’s going to take awhile,” Fulton County Coroner Margaret Luck said.
Investigators believe it to be an isolated issue spanning the past six months or so.
“There is a big difference between not getting the services that you think you paid for,” Gilbo said. “That’s a civil matter.”
