In a troubling development, officials have revealed that the remains of a Georgia teenager, who tragically lost his life to a stabbing incident in October, were cremated before an essential autopsy could be performed. This oversight has sparked severe criticism and potential legal consequences.

The young victim, 18-year-old J.T. Schroeder, succumbed to his injuries after being allegedly attacked by 48-year-old Delano Middleton at a Walmart on Whitemarsh Island. Following Schroeder’s untimely death, his organs were donated, and his body was prematurely released to a funeral home where it was cremated, bypassing the mandated autopsy meant to aid the criminal investigation.

The Chatham County District Attorney has signaled that this grave error might lead to felony charges against those responsible for this critical lapse. It’s a situation that raises serious questions about procedural adherence and accountability within the system.

A spokesperson for the Chatham County Police Department confirmed to WSAV, an NBC affiliate, that after Schroeder’s remains left Memorial Health University Medical Center, they were sent directly to a funeral home and cremated. This occurred despite a clear directive from both the Chatham County Coroner’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to hold the body for an autopsy, standard protocol for homicide cases.

The incident came to light during a court session related to Middleton’s case, as reported by WTOC, a CBS affiliate. This revelation has caused a stir, prompting a closer examination of how such a procedural misstep could occur.

Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones issued a statement condemning the mismanagement, describing it as a profound oversight and professional negligence. She emphasized that the body’s release was not merely a mix-up but a significant failure, given that all directives clearly stated the need for the autopsy. “This is a serious failure so egregious; it is hard to believe it was not intentional,” Jones remarked, highlighting the severity of the situation.

Cook Jones added that Schroeder’s body “was evidence in a criminal trial. The people or person responsible for the premature release of his remains could be charged with a felony.” She did not detail what specific charges could be brought.

A spokesperson from Memorial Health also provided a public statement that was carried by WTOC, saying, “The loss of a loved one is never easy, and we have processes in place to ensure proper handling of the deceased in our care. In the event these processes are not followed, we review our training and documentation with staff and work closely with external agencies to prevent similar issues.”

Schroeder died on Oct. 27, days after Middleton allegedly stabbed him because the teen purportedly kicked his shopping cart at a Walmart store. Middleton, who had pleaded guilty to a previous stabbing in 2021 and was on probation at the time of his alleged attack on Schroeder, was charged with murder and is being held without bond at the Chatham County Detention Center.