Visiting the beach to spread parent’s ashes lands woman a COVID violation charge: report
A woman claiming to be at the beach to spread her parents’ ashes now finds herself facing criminal charges for violating a state order designed to slow coronavirus’ spread.
Myrtle Beach police went to 1207 S. Ocean Boulevard on Sunday after a vehicle with three people inside was parked across two handicap spots, according to a police report. Officers checked the license plate, and the car was reported stolen out of North Carolina.
Felicia Jones, 30, told the officers she came to the beach to spread her parents’ ashes and only knew the other people in the car through a mutual friend, the report states.
Christopher John McAndrew, 20, was also in the vehicle and said he came to Myrtle Beach with Jacob Austin Price, 27, to hang out and enjoy the beach, the report states. Price told police that he drove the vehicle to the beach to spread his friend’s ashes.
Price initially gave police a wrong birthday when they checked his identification, the report states.
Police charged Price with resisting arrest, possession of stolen property less than $2,000 and parking in a handicapped spot. Jones and McAndrew were charged with violating the South Carolina Executive Order that prohibited crossing barricades and sitting in a public beach access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last week, Gov. Henry McMaster lifted the order that closed public access to the beach. But, several municipalities such as Myrtle Beach, kept local bans in place.
This story was originally published April 27, 2020 at 10:57 AM.
