Woman Pleads Guilty In Abuse Of Corpse Case

A Canton Township woman pleaded guilty for her role in a bizarre case where police found a decomposing body in her home. Debbie Bebout, 64 pleaded guilty to felony theft by unlawful taking and abuse of a corpse charges. She was sentenced to 55 days to 23 months in jail for the theft charge. She will serve 24 months minus one day of parole for the abuse of corpse charge. Bebout and her husband James Bebout were arrested when police were called to their residence for a report of a dead body in January of 2025. Police found the body of Michael Bebout in a bedroom. Autopsy reports say the man probably died in August or September of 2024. Further investigation showed that Debbie Bebout continued to cash Michael Bebout’s social security checks. James Bebout has been arraigned on similar charges and awaits trial. Debbie Bebout met her minimum jail sentence and was released. In addition to her parole, she will make a $6,189 restitution payment to the Social Security Administration.