Shelter Worker Hunts for Human Toes in Dog Vomit to Sell for $400 on Black Market

A Melbourne resident, Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, 48, of Lilydale, has been charged following allegations of attempting to sell human toes illegally. Kinman recently appeared in Ringwood Magistrates' Court where she entered a guilty plea to charges of offensive conduct involving human remains.

The court proceedings revealed that Kinman was not just an ordinary citizen; she was a member of Bone Buddies Australia, an online community for enthusiasts of skulls and bones. This group is known for trading and sharing unique specimens, but Kinman took her passion to a whole new level.

Kinman worked as a ranger at an animal shelter, where her responsibilities included the after-hours collection of stray and seized animals. On February 19 of last year, two dogs that had partially consumed the toes of their deceased owner were brought in for assessment after the man died from natural causes.

While at the shelter, the dogs became ill and vomited, leading to the discovery of the human remains. According to Leading Senior Constable Melissa Sambrooks, the shelter staff cleaned up the vomit and disposed of it, along with the remains, in a general waste bin. However, when a distressed staff member left early, Kinman took the opportunity to rummage through the wheelie bins.

To her surprise, she found two human toes and decided to take them home, placing them in a jar filled with formaldehyde. The very next day, Kinman called her daughter to share the news about her unusual find, claiming she had researched selling the toes online and believed she could fetch $400 for them.

When police arrived to investigate, Kinman pointed to a glass shelf in her home where the toes were “suspended in a clear liquid.” The jar was not alone; it was surrounded by other peculiar items, including a guinea pig trotter, an alligator claw, a bird skull, and even baby teeth belonging to her children.

Further inquiries revealed Kinman’s active participation in Bone Buddies Australia, where she had previously sold a wet specimen of a still-born kitten and puppy, as well as a book titled "The History of Punishment and Torture." She had also engaged in discussions about roadkill and a television show focused on the trade of human remains, showcasing her deep interest in the macabre.

During police questioning, Kinman admitted to her actions, expressing curiosity and a penchant for collecting oddities. Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrew Austin noted that the incident had left the family of the deceased person distraught, highlighting the emotional impact of her actions.

Due to legal reasons, the identities of the shelter and the dog owner remain undisclosed, and the recovered remains were sent to the coroner for further examination. Kinman’s defense lawyer, Rainer Martini, argued that his client had faced significant online abuse since the incident became public and had lost her job as a result. He described her behavior as spontaneous and unplanned, asserting that there was no indication she would reoffend. Kinman reportedly expressed deep regret over her actions.

Magistrate Andrew Sim expressed his disbelief at Kinman’s conduct, stating, “It’s just astounding that she would not have understood that her conduct was criminal in nature.” He emphasized the oddity of her behavior, questioning how she could not recognize the wrongness of taking two toes that had been vomited up.

Facing a potential two-year jail sentence, Kinman was ultimately convicted and placed on an 18-month community corrections order. Additionally, she is required to complete 150 hours of unpaid community work, marking a significant consequence for her unusual and troubling actions.