Authorities in Toledo say a 55-year-old mother was arrested after she allegedly found her adult son dead, moved his body to an enclosed front porch and then stayed there with him for about 15 hours before calling for help the next morning. Police charged Michelle Feudi with abuse of a corpse, and records show she was booked then released after an initial appearance in court.
Affidavit Lays Out Grim Timeline
An affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime states that Feudi told investigators she went to wake her 23-year-old son on Saturday afternoon and discovered him unresponsive, cold to the touch and without a pulse. According to the document, she rolled him over, saw blood coming from his mouth, and then carried his body to an enclosed front porch.
The affidavit says Feudi remained on the porch with her son’s body for hours and did not call 911 until roughly 15 hours later, the following morning. Police have not yet released a cause of death, noting that the case is still under active investigation.
Booking, Release and Next Court Date
Local station WTVG reports that Feudi was taken to the Lucas County Corrections Center after her arrest and later released on her own recognizance following yesterday court appearance. The station notes that her son was 23 years old and that her next hearing is set for next Thursday in Toledo Municipal Court. Court filings and booking records cited by local outlets have not identified the son by name.
Unanswered Questions Around Cause of Death
Coverage has zeroed in on the overnight delay in calling 911 and the detail that Feudi stayed with her son’s body on the porch for hours. As reported by OregonLive, police have declined to release the cause of death while the investigation continues.
How Ohio’s Corpse-Abuse Law Works
Under Ohio Revised Code section 2927.01, it is a second-degree misdemeanor to treat a human corpse “in a way that the person knows would outrage reasonable family sensibilities.” The statute also defines gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony, as treatment that would outrage reasonable community sensibilities. As outlined by Ohio Revised Code 2927.01, the law separates conduct that shocks the family from conduct that shocks the broader community and sets different penalties for each.
Feudi’s case remains open while investigators and the coroner work to determine how the 23-year-old died. Prosecutors are expected to decide whether to seek any additional charges after autopsy results and the broader investigation are complete. Her next court appearance is scheduled for next Thursday in Toledo Municipal Court, according to local reporting and court records.
