Son charged after mother found dead inside room that was 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 home months after her death.

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. He initially told police his mother was staying with a friend before admitting she was dead inside.

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.

>>STORY: Woman's body found inside room that had been duct taped shut, animals rescued from home

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

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

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