Former cemetery operator charged with disturbing grave sites in Bridgeport, Connecticut
BRIDGEPORT, Connecticut (WABC) -- A former cemetery operator is under arrest after police said she disturbed dozens of grave sites entrusted to her care in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Dale LaPrade has been charged with 53a-218 Interference with a Cemetery, which, according to Connecticut state law, involves a person who "destroys, mutilates, defaces, injures or removes" a tomb or "wantonly or maliciously disturbs the contents of any tomb."
The alleged crimes took place at Park City Cemetery in September.
Detectives served two search warrants on the premises and seized financial documents and grave site maps. A state anthropologist was called in.
WATCH the news conference outlining the charges
Ground-penetrating radar confirmed that more than 130 graves had been disturbed.
In some cases, officials say, new graves were stacked on top of old ones.
LaPrade no longer works at Park City Cemetery.
A court appearance is set for December 18.
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