Delco Looking To Any Return Stolen Bones, Remains To Burial Sites

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Officials in Delaware County are looking to return potentially stolen human remains to decedents to their burial sites after authorities said a man stole bones and more from a local cemetery.

Last week, authorities charged Jonathan Gerlach, 34, of Ephrata, Lancaster County, with burglary, abuse of a corpse, trespassing, desecration charges, and more in connection with thefts from mausoleums and vaults at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Yeadon and partially Philadelphia.

"Out of respect for the families impacted, our goal is to return the recovered remains to their proper resting place," Delaware County officials said Monday.

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Anyone who believes a grave site, vault, mausoleum, or cemetery area may have been disturbed now or in the past should contact Mount Moriah Cemetery to verify anything is missing. They should then contact the Yeadon Police Department, and then notify the Delaware County Medical Examiner's office.

When contacting these entities, be sure to include the name of the cemetery, the name of the family member and biographical info, location in the cemetery, the date and time the issue was found, and any photos or videos.

The Delaware County Office of the Medical Examiner is responsible for the remains recovered by Yeadon Police and county detectives. Remains found in Ephrata are under the jurisdiction of the Lancaster County Coroner’s Office.

"Our priority is to support families and ensure all remains are treated with dignity and respect while working closely with law enforcement," officials said.