Shock spread through a West Virginia community after a disturbing discovery was made at Baylous Cemetery.

Matthew Fortner, a 49-year-old gravedigger, has been formally charged following the ghastly unearthing of a baby boy's remains, an incident that has horrified locals, Daily Mail reported.

Disrupted Rest Leading to Heartbreaking Discovery

On March 27, a couple visiting the cemetery to decorate headstones for Easter stumbled upon a harrowing scene. They found the remains and clothing of a baby amidst the headstones, immediately alarming law enforcement and the community. The Cabell County Sheriff's Office quickly responded, beginning an in-depth investigation into the incident.

Authorities discovered that the infant, a boy who died shortly after birth in 1982, had been originally buried peacefully, only to have his rest disturbed decades later. The investigation pointed to Matthew Fortner, who was performing his duties as a gravedigger when he struck the baby's casket while digging a new grave.

Instead of reporting the damaged casket, Fortner is alleged to have thrown it over a hillside, resulting in the baby’s remains ending up exposed in the middle of the cemetery. This action sparked widespread outrage and led to Fortner's arrest.

Community and Authorities Respond to the Act

Upon notification, a 911 caller described the unsettling scene. According to local news station WSAZ, the caller said, "It’s like someone dug a grave up and there’s a baby. The casket’s thrown over a hill." This call prompted immediate law enforcement action.

Cabell County Sheriff Doug Adams expressed his disgust over the situation in a statement to WSAZ. "It takes a sick individual, in my opinion, to desecrate a grave and mess with a corpse, period," Sheriff Adams stated, reflecting the sentiment of the community.

The Baylous Cemetery Board of Directors, saddened by the egregious act, declared their cooperation with authorities. "We continue to cooperate with the Cabell County Sheriff’s Office and thank them for diligently working to solve this case. We hope that justice will be served," they conveyed through a statement to 13 News.

Past Crimes Shed Light on Gravedigger's History

Further investigation into Fortner’s background revealed a troubling past. In 1997, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life with mercy. Although paroled in 2007, his initial conviction was later overturned, leading to a re-sentencing for first-degree robbery for time already served.

This prior conviction has led many in the community and beyond to question the decision-making processes that allowed Fortner to be employed in such a sensitive position. His history brought additional scrutiny to the case and the reception of Fortner’s current legal process.

Fortner, who pleaded not guilty to the charges of the displacement of a dead body and withholding information about disturbing human remains, posted bond the following day after his arrest. If convicted, he could face up to five years in prison, a possible outcome that has been closely followed by the community.

Legal Proceedings and Community Impact

As the legal proceedings advance, the Baylous Cemetery incident reminds the public of the importance of respecting final resting places and maintaining ethical standards in all professional conduct. The community, still reeling from the incident, awaits closure and hopes for stringent accountability to prevent future occurrences of this nature.

The unsettling event at Baylous Cemetery serves not only as a reminder of the sensitivity required in handling such duties but also underscores the profound impact of community vigilance and prompt law enforcement response. It is a case that has not only legal implications but also moral reverberations across the area.

With Fortner’s trial pending, many are left to ponder the sanctity of rest and the respect owed to those who have passed. The outcome of this case might set a precedent for how similar cases are managed in the future, reinforcing the legally and morally mandated respect for the deceased.