TOLEDO, OH (WTOL) – A worker from the H.H. Birkenkamp Funeral Home on Tremainsville Road in west Toledo was arrested on charges that he sexually abused a dead woman’s body. Larry Clement, 57, was arraigned in Toledo Municipal Court Friday morning and faces one charge of abusing a corpse.
Toledo Police said Clement touched the private parts of a dead woman, who was awaiting funeral services at the funeral home. Investigators said another funeral home employee walked in on Clement in the act.
Family members present in the courtroom said it was tough holding back when they saw their loved one’s alleged attacker just feet away. The victim’s brother said he is not only sickened, but outraged.
“I was lucky I didn’t get up and hit him in the head with my oxygen tank. My sister before she died, she was helping taking care of me. See, I’m terminal too, myself, and she was helping take care of me,” said Clyde Shular, the victim’s brother.
Family members do not believe Clement’s removal from the funeral home is enough.
“No. No. To be honest with you: No. They need to be shut down. I’m sorry. They just need to shut that place down. It is bad for everybody. They offered to give $11,000 funeral free if we would have kept our mouth shut,” said Vickie Shular.
A judge posted Clement’s bond at $50,000. By noon, it had been paid and Clement was released from jail.
“I had a note all written out for the judge to ask for the highest bond, but they wouldn’t take it,” said Clyde Shular.
Clement’s attorney waived any reading of the allegations in court so it is going straight to the Lucas County grand jury, which could indict Clement early next week.
The family wonders if their loved one is Clement’s only victim.
“There should be a heck of an investigation,” said Clyde Shular.
Clement does not appear to have a criminal past.
The victim was laid to rest Friday afternoon at a different funeral home.
