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Protest Against Funeral Chapel
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A judge shut down the funeral home because of unusual practices for at least 15 days.
A judge shut down the funeral home because of unusual practices for at least 15 days.
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COLUMBIA - A family held a protest against the Warren Funeral Chapel on Tuesday.

The owners, Harold Warren, Junior and Senior aren't commenting, but have gone on record saying they did nothing wrong. Ironically at Tuesday's gathering there were both supporters and angry protesters.

Earlier this month, state inspectors found the Warren Funeral Chapel responsible for gross mistreatment of seven bodies. Supporters of the Warren family met at Columbia's Second Baptist Church to raise money for the family's legal counsel while pained families protested outside.

Family members and friends of Dorenda Versey gathered Tuesday night to express outrage toward Warren Funeral Chapel. When Versey's family tried to get her cremated remains, Warren told them he could not release them because of an unpaid bill. Warren finally released Versey's ashes early in July, but her family later learned the remains were not Versey's at all.

Versey's granddaughter Tarashel Dogan wants more than justice.

"Where's the support for the victims, those people who laid there in closets, on the floor, its very disrespectful and inhumane ways," Dogan said. "Where is their support at? I don't see anyone else out here besides our family. And since there is no one else, we will stand up for everyone else."

Three separate state inspections earlier this month found the Warren Chapel responsible for the mistreatment of six other bodies. The Attorney General's office filed suit against the Warren's asking the Boone County Circuit Court to close the business.

Reported by: Christina McAusland
Posted by: Stephanie Stouffer

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