Authorities in Sharp County say the county’s coroner-elect has been arrested following an investigation involving allegations connected to a paid pet cremation service.
Sharp County Sheriff Shane Russell announced Friday that Seth Wortham was taken into custody and booked into the Sharp County Detention Center after an investigation conducted by the Sharp County Sheriff’s Office.
Wortham faces allegations of Theft of Property, Obstructing Governmental Operations, and Tampering with Physical Evidence.
According to Sheriff Russell, the investigation began after a victim reported paying Wortham to provide cremation services for a pet. Investigators allege that Wortham later returned ashes represented as belonging to the pet.
Authorities claim their investigation determined the ashes were not from the pet in question. Investigators further allege the pet was never cremated and was instead buried at a location within Sharp County. Officials also allege the ashes provided to the victim came from another animal that had been cremated years earlier.
The case has been submitted to prosecuting authorities for review and possible prosecution.
“The Sharp County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to conducting fair, thorough, transparent, and impartial investigations regardless of an individual’s position or status,” Sheriff Russell said. “We will continue to follow the facts and uphold the law while ensuring due process for all involved.”
Authorities emphasized that criminal charges are allegations and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Officials say no additional details are being released at this time because the investigation remains ongoing.
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