Jeremiah Oliver Funeral Delayed, Donations Needed
The funeral for Jeremiah Oliver will have to wait until at least May 3. A judge ordered Oliver’s body held so defense experts could conduct an independent exam, according to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette.
Oliver’s body was found on the side of I-190 in Sterling late last week. The five-year-old had been missing from his Fitchburg home since September. His mother, Elsa Oliver, 28, and her boyfriend, Alberto Sierra, 22, both of Fitchburg, face kidnapping, child endangerment, and other charges in the case. They have not been charged with Jeremiah’s death. Three other defendants are also facing charges in Jeremiah Oliver’s disappearance, according to the Telegram.
The court ordered the body held so the defense can perform an independent autopsy, the Telegram reported.
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The judge’s order requires a state police officer to be present during the independent examination. The defense has until April 29 to examine the body, and the funeral is tentatively scheduled for May 3, according to the Telegram.
Oliver’s family, meanwhile, is asking for community donations to help pay for the $8,400 funeral. Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home Director Walter Taylor told the Telegram that he had to order a smaller casket for Oliver, which cost $750.
From the Telegram:
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