Kansas man banned from providing COVID-19 related services

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A man already banned from providing autopsy services in Kansas has been ordered to stop offering any services related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Shawn Parcells, of Leawood, and affiliated companies are prohibited from offering any services related to the human body, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced Tuesday.

Parcells, a self-taught pathology assistant with no formal education, was offering to perform swabs for COVID-19 testing and to examine people who died to see if they tested positive, Schmidt said.

The Shawnee County District Court last week found that Parcells had formed new businesses and websites concerning the coronavirus that violated the state’s consumer protection law.

Parcells’ attorney, Eric Kjorliem, said Parcells, who he called a tissue recovery specialist, will not appeal the temporary restraining order at this time.

Last year, Parcells was accused of performing illegal autopsies or billing for autopsies that were never performed. He is charged in Wabaunsee County with three counts of felony theft and three misdemeanor counts of criminal desecration.

Parcells is also facing a lawsuit alleging 14 violations of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act involving three consumers.