Officials have disclosed that a Georgia teenager, who was tragically stabbed to death last October, had his body cremated prior to a scheduled autopsy.

Eighteen-year-old J.T. Schroeder succumbed to his injuries after an incident involving 48-year-old Delano Middleton at a Walmart in Whitemarsh Island. After the teenager’s passing, his organs were donated, and his remains were entrusted to a funeral home where cremation occurred. This action took place despite the necessity for an autopsy as part of the ongoing criminal investigation.

According to the Chatham County District Attorney, this significant oversight may lead to felony charges against additional parties.

A spokesperson from the Chatham County Police Department confirmed to WSAV, an NBC affiliate, that Schroeder’s body had been released by Memorial Health University Medical Center to a funeral home, resulting in its cremation. As a homicide victim, both the Chatham County Coroner’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation had issued a directive to hold Schroeder’s body to ensure an autopsy was conducted before any release to a funeral home.

WTOC, a CBS affiliate, reported that during a court session concerning Middleton’s case, it was disclosed that the cremation of Schroeder’s body occurred before the intended autopsy.

Chatham County District Attorney Shalena Cook Jones released a statement on Friday confirming what happened, saying, “The release of J.T. Schroeder’s body was not a ‘miscommunication.’ It was oversight, failure and professional negligence. The order from the [Georgia Bureau of Investigation], Lifeline, and the coroner all indicated the body was to be held as is the case for all murder victims in the state of Georgia. This is a serious failure so egregious; it is hard to believe it was not intentional.”

Cook Jones added that Schroeder’s body “was evidence in a criminal trial. The people or person responsible for the premature release of his remains could be charged with a felony.” She did not detail what specific charges could be brought.

A spokesperson from Memorial Health also provided a public statement that was carried by WTOC, saying, “The loss of a loved one is never easy, and we have processes in place to ensure proper handling of the deceased in our care. In the event these processes are not followed, we review our training and documentation with staff and work closely with external agencies to prevent similar issues.”

Schroeder died on Oct. 27, days after Middleton allegedly stabbed him because the teen purportedly kicked his shopping cart at a Walmart store. Middleton, who had pleaded guilty to a previous stabbing in 2021 and was on probation at the time of his alleged attack on Schroeder, was charged with murder and is being held without bond at the Chatham County Detention Center.