Ohio funeral home ex-director pleads not guilty

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — A former director of a southwest Ohio funeral home has pleaded not guilty to charges alleging she took money for prepaid funeral expenses for her personal use.

Scherrie McLin pleaded not guilty today in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court in Dayton to 17 felony counts, including theft and tampering with records.

The prosecutor says McLin illegally converted more than $200,000 for so-called “pre-needs” contracts from more than 50 people.

Her attorney says McLin maintains her innocence and looks forward to her day in court. She could be sentenced to more than 39 years in prison if convicted of all charges.

More than 50 boxes of cremated human remains were found last year at a house McLin co-owned that was under foreclosure. The charges aren’t related to those remains.