BROOKVILLE, Pa. – Authorities say a U.S. man published a fake obituary for his living mother in a ploy to get paid bereavement time off from work.
Relatives called The Jeffersonian Democrat newspaper in Pennsylvania after the obit appeared to say the woman was actually alive and well. The woman herself then visited the paper.
Police charged 45-year-old Scott Bennett on Tuesday with disorderly conduct.
Newspaper editor Randy Bartley says he accepted the obituary in good faith after being unable to confirm the funeral arrangements at press time. He told The Derrick newspaper on Friday that the woman was very understanding.
Police Chief Ken Dworek says Bennett wrote up the memorial notice because he didn’t want to get fired for taking time off.
The Associated Press couldn’t reach Bennett.
