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Son charged after body of mom, dead for months, found in room that was duct-taped shut, police say

According to a criminal complaint, Robert Hawk’s mother, 68-year-old Marcia Smock, was found dead inside a room that had been duct-taped shut.

NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Charges were filed Friday against the son of a woman whose body was found in August inside her New Kensington, Pennsylvania, home months after her death.

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According to a criminal complaint, Robert Hawk's mother, 68-year-old Marcia Smock, was found dead inside a room that had been duct-taped shut.

Officials with the Department of Aging tried to do a welfare check on Smock in early August but were stopped by Hawk, authorities said. He initially told police his mother was staying with a friend before admitting she was dead inside, officials said.

Hawk told investigators his mother died about two months prior. He didn’t report her death and continued cashing her Social Security checks, according to police.

Dozens of animals were rescued from the home, including 19 cats, officials said.

Hawk is facing more than 60 counts on various charges, including abuse of a corpse, theft and aggravated cruelty to animals. However, none of the charges is linked to her death.