Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, 47, charged with offensive conduct involving human remains

A Lilydale mum allegedly salvaged a human toe that a dog had swallowed and was planning to sell it on the black market.

Joanna Kinman was volunteering at an animal shelter when she allegedly salvaged a human toe and bones vomited up by a dog.

A Melbourne animal shelter worker has allegedly salvaged a human toe and bones swallowed by a dog to sell on the black market.

The Herald Sun can reveal Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, 47, has been charged with offensive conduct involving human remains following a six-month Victoria Police investigation.

Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit detectives swooped on the Lilydale mother following a tip off from a member of the public in February.

Police will allege Ms Kinman was volunteering at a shelter when a dog vomited up the single toe and other remains.

Detectives swooped on Ms Kinman following a tip off from a member of the public.

She is accused of putting the body parts in a jar with the intention she would try and sell them.

What platform she planned to use is not clear, but sources say the illegal organ and tissue trade online is lucrative.

It is understood the dog had been taken to the shelter after being found in a home alongside its dead owner.

The man had died from natural causes, with his beloved pet gnawing on his foot before he was discovered.

A suppression order prohibits identifying the animal refuge or the deceased man.

Ms Kinman was initially arrested on February 20 and interviewed in relation to the incident.

But she was released pending further inquiries.

It’s alleged Ms Kinman put the human toe and bones in a jar with the intention to sell them.

She was charged on August 16 and faced Ringwood Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Offensive conduct involving human remains carries a maximum penalty of two years in jail.

It is a summary offence so will remain in the lower court and not involve a jury trial.

Ms Kinman has not indicated yet if she plans to fight the allegations or plead guilty.

If she decides to contest it, a magistrate will be assigned to examine the prosecution evidence and determine if the charge is proven.

The Crimes Act explains the charge Ms Kinman faces can be made out if a person “intentionally engages in conduct involving human remains” and that conduct “is offensive”.

“Conduct is offensive if, in all the circumstances, it is likely to arouse significant anger, resentment, outrage, disgust or repulsion in the minds of reasonable persons,” the Act states.

A police statement confirmed investigators had “charged a woman after she allegedly stole human remains in the Yarra Ranges area in February 2024”.

The remains were seized and given to the Coroner’s Court.

Management at the animal shelter would not comment “while the legal proceedings are in progress”, only to confirm Ms Kinman was no longer affiliated with them.

Ms Kinman could not be contacted for comment.

She will return to court in November.

Originally published as Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, 47, charged with offensive conduct involving human remains