Introduction to the Case
A western Pennsylvania woman has been charged with criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter and multiple counts of abuse of a corpse after the remains of her four infants were found in a home she had been evicted from last month.
The Arrest and Investigation
Jessica Marie Mauthe, 39, was arrested after her former landlord called police to the home she had lived in outside Ford City, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northeast of Pittsburgh. State police said the remains were found in a bedroom closet and in the attic of the home on Oak Avenue in Cadogan Township. The landlord was cleaning out a closet in the home on Sept. 13 when he came across a trash bag with a foul odor and something wrapped in towels that was decomposing, according to the arrest affidavit issued Thursday.
Discovery of the Remains
Investigators found the bodies of three other infants in the attic in tote bags, wrapped in towels and inside plastic bags, police said. The discovery of the remains has led to a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the infants.
Statements and Charges
About a year ago, Mauthe told investigators, she gave birth to a child who made several noises before she held the child “against her, where it remained until it stopped making noises and stopped breathing,” police wrote. Mauthe told troopers that one newborn had whimpered after she gave birth to it about six years ago, after which she passed out on the floor, according to the affidavit. When she awakened, the baby was beneath her and was not breathing, she told them. Mauthe is in the Armstrong County Jail without bail. She was charged with criminal homicide for the death a year ago, involuntary manslaughter for the death about six years ago, and four counts each of concealing the death of a child and abuse of a corpse.
Legal Proceedings
Messages seeking comment were left Monday for public defender Greta Marie Kiser, listed as Mauthe’s defense lawyer in the online docket, and for Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.
Conclusion
The case of Jessica Marie Mauthe is a tragic and disturbing one, highlighting the importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as infants. The investigation and legal proceedings will continue to unfold, and it is essential to allow the justice system to run its course.
FAQs
Q: What were the charges brought against Jessica Marie Mauthe?
A: Mauthe was charged with criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of abuse of a corpse.
Q: How were the remains of the infants discovered?
A: The remains were found in a bedroom closet and in the attic of the home on Oak Avenue in Cadogan Township, after the landlord reported a foul odor.
Q: What is the current status of Mauthe’s case?
A: Mauthe is in the Armstrong County Jail without bail, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.
Q: Who is representing Mauthe in the case?
A: Public defender Greta Marie Kiser is listed as Mauthe’s defense lawyer in the online docket.
