13 bodies, 17 boxes of cremated remains found in unlicensed funeral home in New York

MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. -- Thirteen decomposing bodies and 17 boxes of cremated remains were allegedly recovered successful a disturbing find wrong an unlicensed ceremonial location successful Westchester County, New York.

The authorities unopen down the concern and pulled the ceremonial location director's license.

Authorities accidental the relation of the Camelot Funeral Home successful Mount Vernon continued to clasp ceremonial services for months after.

More than 2 months later, the grieving process has begun for Aloma Washington.

Her 74-year-old mother, Estella Washington, died connected Nov. 25, and her memorial services were held astatine Camelot Funeral Home successful Mount Vernon.

Washington was expected to beryllium cremated a fewer days later, but the household was ne'er fixed the remains.

"He said, 'I cognize you're taking this hard. So, if you're not acceptable to bring her location yet, I understand.' He said, 'Mom volition beryllium harmless present with me,'" Aloma Washington said.

Owner Michael Neughton was charged with operating the ceremonial location without a license.

SEE ALSO: Colorado ceremonial location proprietor faces sentencing for abusing 189 bodies

The State Health Department said an inspection past week revealed deplorable conditions, including 13 decomposing bodies successful assorted rooms. Two were stacked connected apical of each different successful the garage, and 17 boxes of cremated remains were recovered successful the basement.

What investigators did not find was a azygous decease certificate for immoderate individual, including Estella Washington, whose assemblage was among those inside.

"Someone was going to spell prime my ma similar a period oregon truthful ago, right? So what if we would person went to prime her up? What was helium going to archer america oregon what was helium going to springiness us?" Washington said.

Naughton's licence was revoked successful 2019.

Camelot Funeral Home was unopen down successful 2021, reopened and past closed again past May.

The lawyer general's bureau says the installation conducted implicit 20 funerals since August.

Aloma Washington says determination was ne'er immoderate denotation that thing was wrong.

"He ne'er fto connected that determination was thing going on. My ma died successful November; helium mislaid his licence successful May. So conscionable deliberation astir similar what was successful the bottommost of that basement oregon whatever? And each the mode successful November, you're inactive taking bodies and you shouldn't be," Washington said.

Naughton is owed backmost successful tribunal aboriginal this month. In the meantime, immoderate impacted household that hasn't been successful interaction with instrumentality enforcement has been asked to interaction the lawyer general's office.