Woman Hid Mom's Body In Tub To Collect Social Security: Report

MARINETTE COUNTY, WI — Authorities in a small town in Wisconsin say a woman has been arrested and charged after she hid the corpse of her deceased mother in order to continue to collect her social security benefits.

According to a news release issued by the Marinette County Sheriff, Paula Bergold, 60 was arrested on Friday, Sept. 20 in her Town of Peshtigo home.

Authorities said a neighbor contacted sheriff's officials two days earlier because they began to get worried after they hadn't seen Paula's 89-year-old mother Ruby. The neighbor also said they felt that Paula was being evasive about Ruby's whereabouts.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Marinette County, a police sergeant immediately smelled an "odor of decay" when he went to the Bergold's house to conduct a routine well-being check.

When officers pressed Paula for information, she reportedly admitted that her deceased mother was being stored in a small plastic tub in the basement.

According to the criminal complaint, Ruby died in a chair upstairs. Paula moved her body to the basement after it began to smell. Paula admitted to putting Borax on the upstairs chair to help cover the smell, the criminal complaint read.

According to an ABC-TV report, one neighbor hadn't seen Ruby since May, and that Paula was worried about money after her mother's death.

Paula has been charged with failing to report a death, hiding a corpse and obstructing an officer. She's being held on a $10,000 cash bond, and is due next in court on Oct. 7 for her initial appearance.