MARINETTE COUNTY -- A woman in the town of Peshtigo is accused of hiding her mother's body while collecting her mother's Social Security and other financial benefits.
In a criminal complaint filed Monday, Paula Bergold faces charges of hiding a corpse, failing to report a death of unusual circumstances and resisting or obstructing an officer.
The investigation into Paula Bergold began when a neighbor called authorities earlier this month for a welfare check on Paula's mother, Ruby. According to the criminal complaint, a neighbor told investigators that she hadn't seen Ruby in a while, and indicated that Paula had been evasive about Ruby's whereabouts.
Officers checked the property, but didn't find anyone. According to statements in the complaint, officers on the property noted an "odor of decay."
After further questioning and investigation, the criminal complaint states Paula eventually told a detective that her mother was dead and that her body was in a tub in the basement. Ruby's body was eventually found in a tub and was taken to Fond du Lac for an autopsy. The criminal complaint says Ruby's body was positively identified through the serial number of her pacemaker.
According to statements in the complaint, Paula said she found her mother dead in a chair and couldn't bring herself to call the police. She hid her mother's body after it began to smell, the complaint says.
Paula said that she has been living off of her mother’s income, which was social security, stocks and dividends from her father’s retirement. According to the criminal complaint, Paula said that she was concerned about the money and that played into her decision to not report her mother’s death.
On Monday, online court records show the court set a cash bail at $10,000 for Paula. Her adjourned initial appearance is scheduled for Oct. 7.
