Pulaski Times

Candace Chapman Scott, a 37-year-old resident of Little Rock, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison. The sentence was announced by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, and delivered by United States District Judge Brian S. Miller on January 16, 2025. Scott's conviction is for transporting stolen human body parts out of Arkansas and conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Scott's activities were uncovered during an investigation that found she had stolen human body parts and fetal remains while working at a mortuary services provider from October 2021 through mid-July 2022. These remains were sold to a buyer in Pennsylvania whom Scott met through a Facebook group dedicated to the sale of body parts.

The investigation revealed that Scott sent 24 boxes containing various stolen human remains, including two fetuses, from the mortuary provider to the purchaser. Communications between Scott and the purchaser showed she intended to return ashes from other cremated bodies to parents instead of their child's ashes.

Items involved in this case included skulls, brains, an arm, an ear, lungs, hearts, breasts, a belly button, testicles among others. A search warrant at Scott’s home uncovered more stolen body parts transported in trash bags from her workplace. She received $10,625 for these transactions.

Jonathan D. Ross commented on the gravity of the crime: “Imagine learning that the cremated remains of your child given to you after their death were not actually those of your child... That is the shocking truth that happened in this case for the family of ‘Baby Lux’.” He further emphasized how Baby Lux’s story highlighted criminal trafficking activities involving human bodies and parts.

Alicia D. Corder from the FBI described it as "a truly incomprehensible and detestable crime," acknowledging that while sentencing does not undo damage done to families involved, efforts continue towards ensuring justice.

Judge Miller handed down concurrent sentences totaling 15 years for interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy to commit mail fraud. Additional penalties include three years' supervised release and restitution amounting to $1,800 alongside fines matching profits made by Scott through these illegal activities—$10,625—with no parole options available within federal systems.

Indicted initially on April 5th last year (2023), followed by pleading guilty later (April) next year (2024), this complex case saw collaboration between multiple agencies like FBI & Arkansas State Police assisted notably by US Postal Inspection Service among others; prosecutorial duties were undertaken capably under Assistant U.S Attorneys Amanda Jegley alongside Michael Gordon’s stewardship throughout proceedings till conclusion reached now via court verdict issued recently marking closure legally albeit emotional scars linger longer perhaps inevitably so unfortunately enough!