Mount Moriah, which stretches from Philadelphia into Yeadon, is a site of deep historical significance. Betsy Ross was once interred there before her remains were relocated, and soldiers from every major U.S. conflict since the Revolutionary War are buried on the grounds.
Yeadon Mayor Rohan Hepkins described the cemetery as an “inviting target” due to its lack of fencing and multiple access points, vulnerabilities that prosecutors say Gerlach exploited repeatedly.
Charges and Ongoing Investigation
From Nov. 7 through Tuesday, investigators documented damage or break-ins at 26 underground vaults and mausoleums—25 of them more than a century old. Gerlach now faces roughly 300 counts, including theft, receiving stolen property, and abuse of a corpse, along with additional charges for burglary, criminal mischief, and intentional desecration of a venerated object.
He is being held on $1 million cash bail. Court records do not list an attorney on his behalf. Authorities say Gerlach admitted stealing approximately 30 sets of remains from Mount Moriah, though they believe the 100 human skulls and other skeleton remains may have come from multiple cemeteries.
Community Response and Next Steps
In a statement, the Friends of Mount Moriah Cemetery commended law enforcement for their efforts and highlighted their ongoing cooperation throughout the investigation. The group’s mission and preservation efforts are detailed on its official site:
