A 49-year-old man has been accused of dressing up as his dead mother in order to claim her government benefits.
Thomas Parkins faces charges including grand larceny, forgery, conspiracy and criminal impersonation.
It's claimed he collected tens of thousands of dollars over a period of six years, after concealing the death of his mother, Irene Prusik.
He allegedly gave a funeral director a false social security number so her death would not show up on government records, according to reports.
Police quoted Parkin as saying, "I held my mother when she was dying and breathed in her last breath, so I am my mother," when he was arrested.
Authorities say Parkin wore a wig and a dress while renewing his mother's driver's license earlier this year.
He's accused of using a walking stick, heavy make-up and fake ID when collecting benefit cheques and visiting banks.
