Son of deceased woman is arraigned, awaiting autopsy

May 6, 2016 at 12:02a.m.

BOARDMAN

Township resident Philip Bergman is “anxious” for an autopsy of his mother to be completed, according to Mahoning County Assistant Prosecutor Michael McBride.

McBride said Bergman, 45, made the remark during his arraignment Thursday evening in county area court here on a charge of failure to report his mother’s death, a misdemeanor.

Police discovered Jacqueline Bergman’s body Tuesday afternoon in the garage of her Lemont Drive home after a concerned neighbor called police because she had not seen her for a few weeks. The body had been decomposing for a little more than a week, said Dr. Joseph Ohr, Mahoning County deputy coroner and forensic pathologist.

Boardman Detective Glenn Riddle said Philip Bergman was still living in the house, and officers arrested him when he returned to the home that evening.

He is in Mahoning County jail in lieu of $1,500 bond.

Bergman also is charged with abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony, but a hearing to determine bond on that is set for 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Ohr said an autopsy on the body began Thursday, but results may not be available for weeks.

McBride said abuse of a corpse is punishable by up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine.