GLOVERSVILLE, N.Y. – A New York woman who lived above the apartment where the decomposing body of her 93-year-old mother remained for over a year is facing charges.
Fulton County authorities say 60-year-old Mary Kersting was charged Thursday with grand larceny, improper disposal of a body and endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person. She pleaded not guilty to the charges and was released on $25,000 bail.
Prosecutors say police checking on the welfare of Hope Ruller found her badly decomposed body Dec. 29 in her first-floor apartment in Gloversville, 40 miles northwest of Albany.
Authorities say Ruller died in October 2013 from unknown causes. Officials say Kersting didn't report the death and collected $13,000 in Ruller's Social Security and pension benefits.
Kersting's lawyer wasn't immediately available to comment.
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