Mar 12, 2026
In a heartbreaking case in Maryland, grieving families paid for their pets to be cremated, only to find the ashes they received weren’t real, authorities say.
Rodney Ward and his wife, Yalanda, were charged in connection with the alleged scam in Catonsville, reports CBS News Baltimore. Rodney pleaded guilty to theft and malicious destruction of property on Feb. 17, and faces up to 25 years in jail. He will be sentenced on March 31. Yalanda’s trial has been postponed until May 6.
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According to the broadcaster, citing court documents, nearly $13,000 was allegedly taken from victims through the couple’s unlicensed pet crematorium business. The Baltimore County State’s Attorney Office says there were at least 51 victims.
“Every single one of them has remains or a box that they thought were their pets’ remains,” Adam Lippe of the Baltimore County State’s Attorney Office told CBS News Baltimore.
Animals 'treated like trash'
Authorities began investigating the accused couple’s business in April 2025 after complaints of animal remains being improperly disposed of on the side of a road. Investigators say they also found the remains of 38 animals in the back of a hearse on property owned by Rodney Ward, the broadcaster reports.
Meanwhile, customers of the business believed their pets had been cremated and their remains returned to them. But according to CBS News Baltimore, Rhys Williams, a forensic scientist, tested samples from pet owners and found that wasn’t the case.
“We did not find animal remains,” he told the broadcaster, adding that most of it was “building materials” like concrete powder. Other owners described seeing what looked like sand and pieces of wire.
One day after Rodney Ward pleaded guilty, pet owners testified at the Maryland House of Delegates in support of a bill that would require pet cremation businesses to register with the state, keep detailed records and provide pet owners with appropriate documentation and identification information for the animal, reports CBS News Baltimore (2). The legislation would also require animal remains to be stored in a dignified manner.
Joy Schoonover was among the speakers and told lawmakers her cat was one of those found by investigators in the hearse.
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“No other pet owner should have to learn from a police search that their beloved companion was treated like trash,” she said.
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What pet owners can do
The case above exposes something pet owners may not realize: the rules protecting human funeral services often don’t apply to pets.
Human funeral homes have to follow the federal Funeral Rule enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, which includes having clear price lists, transparent service disclosures and protections against deceptive practices. But pet end-of-life care largely falls outside federal regulations.
Millions of U.S. households include pets, and Americans spend billions each year to care for their furry companions. For example, CBS News Baltimore reports pet owners in the story above shelled out hundreds of dollars for cremation services.
Before choosing a provider of end-of-life care, owners may first want to check how their state regulates these services. If so, they may want to confirm if the provider is licensed or registered. Requesting documentation from the provider detailing the type of cremation and identification of the animal is also recommended. Some organizations offer third-party “accreditation” or “certification” services they say are designed to ensure a standard of care is maintained by providers, so owners may want to inquire about that as well. And of course, pet owners may want to compare different end-of-life life care providers in their area to ensure a pet gets the dignity it deserves.
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Jessica is a freelance writer with a professional background in economic development and small business consulting. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Sociology and is completing her Publishing Certificate.
