DENVER (AP) -- The U.S. Postal Service is defending a mail carrier who stepped around a Denver man who collapsed and died near his front door.

Dale Porch was dropped off at home last week after working the night shift for the Regional Transportation District but never made it inside. Family members say hours later, a mail carrier walked by the body to deliver the mail but did nothing to help.

KMGH-TV reports the carrier has been temporarily taken off the route. The family says the carrier told them he thought the body was a mannequin, a decoration left over from Halloween.

A Postal Service spokesman called it an unfortunate situation that probably would not have happened any other time of the year.

An autopsy report is pending.