Deltona Woman's Shocking Trade: Human Bones on Facebook Marketplace
In an unexpected twist that has left both locals and online communities in shock, a 52-year-old woman from Deltona, Florida, was arrested for a spine-chilling crime: trading human bones on Facebook Marketplace. According to the Orange City Police Department, Kymberlee Anne Schopper was charged with trafficking in human tissue. Released recently from the Volusia County Jail on a $7,500 bond, Schopper’s story underscores the dark side of digital marketplaces.
Wicked Wonderland: A Grim Market
A call to authorities in late 2023 revealed the peculiar dealings of Wicked Wonderland, a business operated by Schopper. They advertised and sold human remains on their website, from skulls to vertebrae, raising ethical and legal alarms. Among the items were two human skulls priced at \(90 and a partial skull at \)600. Further investigations found these remains to be potential archaeological finds, some dating back 500 years, challenging both legal grounds and moral sensibilities.
An Alleged Mistake or Conscious Trade?
Despite the blatant nature of the transactions, Schopper’s defense rested on her claim that the items were educational models—legal under state law if true. This point of contention draws attention to the blurry lines between genuine educational resources and macabre collectibles.
Even the shop’s owner had expressed bewilderment, not realizing it was illegal to trade in such items in Florida, indicative of gaps in law awareness among small business operators, or a calculated oversight. “She confirmed that the store had multiple human bone fragments, all purchased from private sellers,” stated the affidavit, adding to the curious case of discrepant documentation on these transactions.
A Saga of Ethics and History
Echoing with historical weight, the discovered bone fragments may trace back centuries, sparking ethical debates: should remnants of ancient lives be commercialized? This conversation resonates across disciplines from archaeology to ethics, questioning where the lines should be drawn in preserving heritage versus exploiting curiosity.
As this case unfolds, concerns grow for digital platforms like Facebook, bearing the responsibility to monitor and safeguard against such transgressive trades. A newfound awareness emerges: the porous boundaries of virtual and material worlds require vigilant oversight.
Community Reactions and Legal Implications
The Deltona community and online followers watch closely as this case unravels, symbolizing a broader question of morality, legality, and cultural preservation. As experts continue to analyze these remains, they craft narratives of human history and illegal commodification. According to New York Post, this case illuminates a hidden reality where laws may fail to keep pace with evolving trade terrains.
Schopper’s story isn’t just an isolated incident; it paints a broader picture of a need for regulatory refinements and ethical introspections in our digital age.
