Officers were called to the hospital Sunday night, where security guards had the 61-year-old Razo in custody, LAPD Lt. Andy Neiman told the station.
“The call indicated that a deceased patient had somehow been violated by an employee of the hospital,” Neiman said.
The Reseda, Calif. resident was placed under arrest on a state Health and Safety Code violation, CBS Los Angeles reports.
“It’s a very sensitive case because you’re dealing with somebody who is deceased, who’s a loved one of somebody… so it’s our job to fight back for them,” Neiman said.
Committing an act of necrophilia wasn’t deemed a crime in the state of California until 2004, but is now considered a felony. If convicted, Razo faces up to three years in prison, CBS Los Angeles reports.
Razo was released from jail on $20,000 bail. Attempts made by CBS Los Angeles to contact him were unsuccessful.
A longtime neighbor, who declined to be identified by the station, said Razo is a quiet man with a wife and two children.
Investigators are continuing to investigate. Lt. Neiman said.