PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Pike County Judge-Executive Ray Jones blasted Pike County Coroner Russell Roberts during a special meeting of the fiscal court on Friday.

Jones accused Roberts of “dereliction of duty” for failing to assist with the proper burial of three unclaimed bodies.

“This is an appalling situation, and it’s not something that, as county judge-executive, I’m going to allow to happen,” Jones said.

Jones said he had received a request from Harlan County to help with burying the body of a Pike County resident who had died at Harlan ARH back on Oct. 7. According to Jones, Roberts initially told the hospital he couldn’t do anything about a body in another county.

But Judge Jones also accused Roberts of failing to assist Pikeville Medical Center with properly disposing of the body of a Floyd County resident who had died at that hospital on July 23, as well as a Mingo County resident who died on Sept. 16.

“Neither Harlan ARH nor Pikeville Medical Center should have to resort to any type of legal action to have the Pike County coroner assist in this matter,” Jones said.

Jones said he sent a letter to Roberts requesting that he assist with the matters. He added that arrangements are now being made for the Pike and Floyd county residents, while the county waits to hear back from Mingo County.

Mountain Top News reached out to Roberts for reaction to Jones’ accusations, but has so far not received a response.