Police search for Washington County couple accused of living with corpse, cashing Social Security checks

Police in Washington County are searching for a husband and wife accused of living with a decomposing body to continue cashing social security checks.

James Bebout, 69, and Debbie Bebout, 64, of Canton Township are charged with felony theft and criminal conspiracy as well as abuse of a corpse.

The two had been living with the corpse of James’ brother, Michael Bebout, 64, for about six months before police discovered the body in January, according to Greene Washington Regional Police Chief William DeForte.

“He was a skeleton with clothes,” the chief said.

It was James Bebout who initially contacted police to report his brother dead, but DeForte said he was unsure what prompted him to make the call.

Aside from the decomposing body, he said, police found dead animals and filth throughout the home. It has since been condemned, DeForte said.

“If you can imagine the stench they had to ensure,” he said.

During the course of their investigation, police discovered that the couple had cashed around a half dozen Social Security checks after Michael Bebout had died, DeForte said.

DeForte said Greene Washington police waited to file charges against the couple until toxicology reports determined whether Michael Bebout’s death was the result of natural causes or foul play. He said the results indicated no foul play.

Since the body’s discovery, the chief said James and Debbie Bebout have been living in various places throughout Canton.

Now, police are searching for the two, DeForte said. He said he doesn’t have indication where they may have gone.

The chief said he’s unsure whether federal authorities will become involved because of the alleged Social Security fraud.