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A couple is seeking justice after they said their daughter’s remains were thrown out at a funeral home in Lodi.

Mari Jo Planas and Everardo Munoz said their daughter, Amiliana-Rose Navarro Romero, was at the Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, in Lodi, after she was stillborn in June.

The couple told KCRA 3 exclusively that their daughter’s remains are missing, adding that they believe Amiliana-Rose was thrown away while at the funeral home. They said it happened on July 5, but they only just found out. The funeral was supposed to be on Monday.

"I just want her,” Planas said, fighting back tears. “As a mom, you want to protect all your kids, and this is my first daughter, and I couldn't even have her alive. Now, I couldn't even have her as a whole."

Romero's body has still not been found – and Munoz said he is heartbroken he cannot lay her to rest yet.

"I don't have her alive. I don't even have her, like passed away, as her body,” Munoz said. “I don't have anywhere to go to talk to her, to see her, and that's the hardest thing is just I have nothing."

The couple told KCRA 3 they filed a police report with the Lodi Police Department. Late Sunday night, KCRA 3 confirmed with the Lodi Police Department that they have “begun an active investigation into this case.” Munoz said he wants answers, and he wants the funeral home to be held accountable.

"All we wanted was for her body to be respected and to be treated with care and for her to have her peace, that we could give her at least. And none of that happened at all,” Munoz said.

The Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home told KCRA 3 they are working with the Lodi Police Department. While they would not answer any specific questions, the funeral home sent KCRA 3 a statement saying, “Cherokee Memorial is aware of a situation that has arisen with a grieving family we are currently serving. We are working closely with the family to investigate and resolve the issue quickly.”

As the investigation continues, Planas and Munoz are clinging to the memory of Romero. They keep a box inside their home, filled with everything from the hospital that reminds them of their daughter – including blankets and food wrappers. They are also clinging on to a teddy bear that includes the sound of Romero’s first heartbeat. Through their sadness, they said they wanted to push for justice – not only for their daughter, but so this does not happen to any other family.

"I don't wish upon this pain for anyone else, because no one should be going through this pain like this,” Planas said.

This is a developing story. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.

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