Warning: contains graphic descriptions that some readers may find distressing
A mortuary employee has been accused of allegedly desecrating the body of a convicted sex offender.
Amber Laudermilk, who worked as an embalmer at Memorial Mortuary & Crematory in Houston, Texas, is facing charges for reportedly mutilating a corpse after death.
The body in question belonged to Charles Roy Rodriguez, who was allegedly mistreated by Laudermilk.
According to The Mirror, Rodriguez was a registered sex offender who passed away from natural causes at a Houston hospital in January at the age of 58.
In 2001, he had been sentenced for sexually assaulting a 31-year-old woman.
Court records reveal that his body was transported to the mortuary on February 7.
Upon learning about Rodriguez’s past, it is alleged that Laudermilk used a scalpel on his body.
Witnesses claim to have seen the 34-year-old insert the blade into his groin twice before removing his penis and placing it in his mouth.
Precinct One Constable Alan Rosen stated: “No matter what one thinks of his life, the law requires that he be treated with dignity in death.
“This case is about two troubled people: the victim who was a registered sex offender and the defendant, who is accused of viciously attacking his dead body,” he further explained.
Laudermilk faces charges of abusing a corpse, a felony offense, and has been granted a $5,000 bond ahead of her upcoming hearing on May 13.
“I don’t know the suspect’s past, but we have the utmost empathy for anyone who has been the victim of a sexual assault or is the family or friend of someone who has been the victim of a sexual assault,” Rosen continued. “The facts clearly indicate she was angry, and I hope after this is resolved in the courts, she gets the help she needs.”
According to reports from NBC News, two mortuary employees witnessed the alleged incident.
Laudermilk is also said to have told a witness, an embalming student, “You didn’t see anything,” in a manner that the witness found threatening.
The second witness claimed to have observed Rodriguez’s groin area was ‘disfigured,’ which Laudermilk allegedly concealed with a towel.
When questioned by the witness at the time, Laudermilk allegedly remarked that the deceased man had ‘a lot going on with him,’ as per the charging documents.
A complaint was filed with local law enforcement on February 19, and earlier this month, the Texas Funeral Service Commission suspended Laudermilk’s embalmer license.
A spokesperson from Harris County Precinct One reported that Laudermilk turned herself in to the authorities and is currently held at Harris County Jail.