Hospital Worker Stole Wedding Rings Off Body

An emergency room worker pleaded guilty to stealing rings from a deceased patient

A suburban emergency room worker pleaded guilty to an unthinkable crime.

Frederick Tapley, 37, admitted to stealing the wedding and engagement rings off the hand of a patient who died at Advocate Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove.

Tapley took the rings while transporting Dolores Yukness of west suburban Lombard to the morgue last summer.  

Loved ones say she almost never took her rings off during her 53 years of marriage.

Tapley used part of the money to pay his cable bill, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

His attorney says he felt so guilty for pawning the rings he helped police find them.

Tapley faces up to five years in prison when he's sentenced on felony theft charges later this year.

STNGWire contributed to this report

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