Ohio funeral home license suspended over cremation

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - An Ohio funeral home that cremated the wrong child's body due to a morgue mix-up has had its license suspended for six months.

The body of 14-month-old Jaylen Talley last year was mistakenly released to the Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home. It was supposed to handle the body of another boy, a 22-day-old infant whose family wanted cremation.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the Ohio Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors this week not only suspended the funeral home's license but also yanked the funeral director's license of owner Marlan J. Gary for six months.

A hearing officer had noted that cremation is irreversible and said a funeral director must take precautions to "get it right."

Gary's attorney says the punishment is too harsh. He says his client hasn't decided whether to appeal.

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Information from: The Columbus Dispatch, http://www.dispatch.com