After going into early labor at just 27 weeks, Aurora Hartley had a stillborn birth on November 27, 2023 and has now launched legal proceedings against a funeral home and crematorium
An Oklahoma mother has brought a lawsuit against a local funeral home and crematorium after making a horrific discovery going to collect her stillborn child’s birth blanket and ashes.
After going into early labor at just 27 weeks, Aurora Hartley had a stillborn birth on November 27, 2023. Hartley told local news outlet News9 that she had wanted to be a mom since she was younger and always got so excited when she found out she was pregnant.
Despite the tragic loss of her child which she had named Hadley, Hartley allowed her stillborn child to go to the Medical Examiners office in Oklahoma City for an autopsy. According to Hartley’s attorneys, the child was sent to Alpha and Omega Mortuary to be cremated. When she returned to Brown’s Funeral Service in Coalgate, Ok to pick up her child’s ashes as well as the birth blanket she made a shocking discovery.
Her attorneys also said that they want the state regulatory board to step and shut down both the funeral service providers. (
News9 Oklahoma City)
“As they’re taking the birthing blanket and going to wash it and preserve it. They open it to find the remains of the child,” John Zelbst, Hartley’s attorney told News9. “You can only imagine the shock and disgust.” In an attempt to uncover how a horrible mistake could be made the family went back to the funeral home to get answers. The family was given an urn with ashes in it but the funeral home told Coalgate police that the ashes were not the child’s remains.
“They give the excuse that it’s the placenta, which is not a placenta. It has no characteristics of a cremation. So that starts the cover-up,” said Zelbst. Hartley’s attorneys are now pursuing legal action against the funeral home and the mortuary. Her attorneys also said that they want the state regulatory board to step and shut down both the funeral service providers.
Alpha and Omega Mortuary Services and Crematory had been investigated for federal employment law violations by the U.S. Department of Labor, according to the Daily Mail. The investigation revealed mortuary failed to pay employees for overtime pay and failed to maintain proper records which are required under federal law.
Hartley is now trying to focus on her mental health and recovering from the tragic loss of her child and the traumatic experience she suffered. (
News9 Oklahoma City)
Former employees told the local news outlet KFOR during the DOL investigation that they would work 60 to 80-hour weeks sometimes and that the longest shift they worked was 27 hours.
At this time there is no connection with between Hartley’s case and the long hours worked by employees of the mortuary. She is now trying to focus on her mental health and recovering from the tragic loss of her child and the traumatic experience she suffered.
