Baltimore Pet Crematorium Owner Pleads Guilty to Scam

Rodney Ward gave some customers sand instead of their pets' ashes

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The owner of a Baltimore County pet crematorium, Rodney Ward, pleaded guilty to theft and malicious destruction of property charges after giving some pet owners sand instead of their pets' ashes. Ward and his wife Yalanda operated the unlicensed Loving Care Pet Funeral and Cremation Services, where they collected nearly $13,000 from at least 51 victims.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of regulation and oversight in the pet services industry, where vulnerable customers can be taken advantage of during a difficult time. The discovery of the scam led to efforts to properly identify and cremate the recovered pets, providing closure for the affected families.

The details

According to court documents, Rodney Ward and his wife Yalanda operated an unlicensed pet crematorium business called Loving Care Pet Funeral and Cremation Services in Catonsville, Maryland. They collected nearly $13,000 from at least 51 victims by giving them sand instead of their pets' actual cremated remains. In April, investigators found the remains of 38 different animals in the back of a hearse in West Baltimore.

  • On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Rodney Ward pleaded guilty to theft and malicious destruction of property charges.
  • In April, investigators found the remains of 38 different animals in the back of a hearse in West Baltimore.

The players

Rodney Ward

The owner of Loving Care Pet Funeral and Cremation Services, an unlicensed pet crematorium in Baltimore County, who pleaded guilty to theft and malicious destruction of property charges for giving customers sand instead of their pets' ashes.

Yalanda Ward

The wife of Rodney Ward, who is also expected to appear in court in relation to the pet crematorium scam.

Charm City Pet Crematory

A company that offered free cremation services to the victims of the Loving Care Pet Funeral and Cremation Services scam, working with BARCS and animal control to properly identify and cremate the recovered pets.

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What they’re saying

“Every single one of them has remains or a box that they thought were their pets' remains. It turned out to be non-animal. It turned out to be what I indicated in court, which was sand, gravel, baking soda, fertilizer.”

— Adam Lippe, Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office (cbsnews.com)

“They were not ashes. It looked like sand, concrete with wires inside of it.”

— Joy Schoonover (WJZ)

What’s next

Yalanda Ward is also expected to appear for a court hearing on Tuesday.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger regulations and oversight in the pet services industry to protect vulnerable customers from unscrupulous operators. The discovery of the scam led to efforts to properly identify and cremate the recovered pets, providing closure for the affected families.