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Error Leads To Burial Of Wrong Body

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The Associated Press

Published: February 22, 2008

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - Authorities mistakenly released the body of an adult woman to the family of a 2-year-old fire victim, and the woman's body was buried in the girl's grave, officials said.

A routine office check at the state Medical Examiner's Office this week showed that the body of Victoria Hope Starcher of Cottageville was still there. The child and her brother, 4-year-old Joseph Allen Starcher II, were killed Feb. 8 when their two-story house caught fire.
Funeral services for the children were held Feb. 15 in Jackson County, said John Law, spokesman for the state Department of Health and Human Resources.

James Kaplan, the state's chief medical examiner, and state Bureau of Public Health acting chief Ron Forren told the girl's parents, Joseph Starcher and Tammy Scarberry, of the mistake Tuesday.

"I understand that they were extremely upset as can be expected, but they were also very impressed that Dr. Kaplan took the time to personally drive to Jackson County and explain to them what happened," Law said Wednesday. "They assured the family that DHHR would ... do whatever we have to do to make it right."

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