Australian Mom Of 5 Plotted To Sell Human Toes Chewed By Dogs

Huffpost - Mar 17th, 2025
Open on Huffpost

Joanna Kathlyn Kinman, a 48-year-old woman from Melbourne, pleaded guilty to attempting to sell human toes retrieved from a deceased man's remains. The court charged her with offensive conduct involving human remains. Despite the magistrate labeling the act as 'astounding' and 'distressing,' Kinman avoided jail time and was instead sentenced to an 18-month community corrections order. The toes came into her possession after two dogs brought to the animal shelter where she worked had vomited them up. Planning to sell the toes online for $250, Kinman was apprehended after police received a tip-off.

This incident highlights a troubling disregard for human dignity, with Kinman's actions drawing public concern and legal scrutiny. Her membership in a Facebook group dedicated to selling 'wet specimens' underscores a niche subculture interested in trading unusual biological artifacts. The case raises questions about the ethics of handling human remains and the legal boundaries of such actions. Kinman's legal defense argued her behavior was impulsive, yet the ruling emphasized the need for respect toward deceased individuals. This story underscores the complexities of legal and moral standards in dealing with human remains.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The news story about Joanna Kathlyn Kinman is a well-reported piece that effectively captures the unusual and ethically charged nature of the crime. It scores high on accuracy and timeliness, providing a detailed and current account of the events. The use of credible sources and direct quotes from court proceedings enhances the story's reliability. However, the article could improve in balance by including perspectives from the deceased man's family, and in transparency by clarifying the verification process for certain claims. The story engages readers with its bizarre subject matter, prompting curiosity and potential debate about legal and ethical norms. Despite minor disruptions in clarity due to unrelated content, the article remains accessible and informative, making it a compelling read for a general audience.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story presents a largely accurate account of the events surrounding Joanna Kathlyn Kinman and the incident involving human toes. The details about Kinman's actions, such as finding the toes in a bin at an animal shelter and intending to sell them online, are corroborated by multiple sources. The legal proceedings, including her guilty plea and the magistrate's comments, also align with the reported facts. However, the claim about the exact amount Kinman believed she could earn from selling the toes ($250) is slightly different from other reports suggesting $400 AUD. This discrepancy is minor but noteworthy for precision. Overall, the story is well-supported by external sources, lending credibility to its accuracy.

7
Balance

The article presents a balanced view of the incident, including perspectives from both the prosecution and Kinman's defense. It quotes the magistrate's critical remarks about Kinman's actions, providing a sense of the legal system's stance. At the same time, it includes Kinman's attorney's defense that her actions were impulsive and had significant negative consequences for her. However, the story could have been more balanced by including comments from the deceased man's family, which would offer additional insight into the incident's impact. The absence of these perspectives slightly skews the balance towards the legal and personal ramifications for Kinman.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, with a logical flow that guides readers through the sequence of events. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the inclusion of an unrelated promotional paragraph about HuffPost towards the end disrupts the narrative flow and may confuse readers. Removing this section or placing it separately would enhance clarity. Additionally, providing more context about the legal implications of Kinman's actions could help readers better understand the significance of the charges and the sentence she received.

8
Source quality

The article relies on credible sources such as the Australian Broadcasting Company and 9News.com, which are reputable outlets known for their journalistic standards. These sources provide a solid foundation for the story's claims, enhancing its reliability. The inclusion of direct quotes from court proceedings and legal figures further strengthens the source quality. However, the story would benefit from a broader range of sources, such as firsthand accounts from the animal shelter or statements from the deceased man's family, to provide a more comprehensive view of the incident.

6
Transparency

The article provides a clear narrative of the events, including the legal charges and outcomes. It transparently attributes information to specific sources, such as court proceedings and news outlets. However, it lacks explicit disclosure of potential conflicts of interest or the methodology behind the information gathering. The article could improve transparency by explaining how certain information, such as Kinman's membership in the 'Bone Buddies Australia' group, was verified. This would help readers understand the basis for the claims and any factors that might influence the reporting.

Sources

  1. https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8918922/bone-buddies-gruesome-plot-to-sell-dead-mans-toes/
  2. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3302646/australian-woman-admits-trying-sell-human-toes-she-found-dog-vomit
  3. https://www.thecourier.com.au/story/8918922/woman-wanted-to-sell-dead-mans-toes-found-in-dog-vomit/
  4. https://www.mensjournal.com/news/mother-sentenced-selling-dead-mans-toes
  5. https://www.indiatoday.in/world/us-news/story/shocking-crime-aussie-mother-planned-to-sell-human-toe-avoids-jail-glbs-2694840-2025-03-17