Bodies of two babies found hidden in funeral home ceiling

GARY, Ind. (AP) — Police say the remains of two babies have been found in small boxes above ceiling tiles in a northwestern Indiana funeral home.

Gary police and the Lake County coroner on Wednesday removed the bodies of a stillborn and a newborn from Smith, Bizzell and Warner Funeral Home. Investigators said the bodies appeared mummified or skeletonized. One had a tag indicating the baby was delivered March 3, 1996.

Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey says the funeral home owners, Concord Family Services Inc., contacted her after finding the remains.

Watch a local news report on the shocking discovery below:

Concord vice president Sharon Vaughn says the home’s previous owners left the bodies. Concord bought the home in 2005.

Gary police Sgt. Thomas Decanter says a criminal investigation has been opened. Autopsies are scheduled Friday.

Gary is located 35 miles southeast of Chicago.

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