Upon receiving a report from a landlord, police officers were confronted with a distressing scene at a tenant’s residence where the body of a baby was found. This grim discovery led to the uncovering of a more chilling truth.
The deceased infant was located last month in the dwelling of Jessica Mauthe, a 39-year-old long-term resident of the property. The body was hidden in towels and garbage bags within a closet. Following this unsettling revelation, Mauthe was arrested and appeared in court for a preliminary hearing last week. Upon the police’s search of the residence, three additional newborns’ bodies were found concealed in tote bags and buckets in the attic.
Facing District Judge J. Gary DeComo in western Pennsylvania, Mauthe pleaded not guilty to charges including criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter, concealing a child’s death, and abusing a corpse.
Testifying in court, a Pennsylvania State trooper revealed that the homicide charges pertain to Mauthe’s most recent child born approximately 18 months ago, while the manslaughter charges relate to her first child born around six years ago.
According to an officer, Mauthe provided details about all four children, born in the bathroom. She claimed the first baby emitted a sound before she lost consciousness, waking up to find the infant deceased underneath her. Information about the second and third babies’ statuses at birth remains undisclosed. Mauthe stated that the third child, referred to as “Baby C,” did not make any noise after delivery, and the fourth child, born in the toilet, was allegedly killed by her.
In a sworn affidavit, police reported that Mauthe admitted to wrapping the infant in a towel after birth until it ceased making noises. She claimed to have held the child for 15 to 20 minutes before its silence, unsure if the death resulted from her grip or suffocation.
Mauthe’s defense attorney, Chuck Pascal, argued in court against the homicide and manslaughter charges, citing the lack of evidence on the babies’ causes of death. Pascal suggested that Mauthe’s confessions might not be reliable, speculating that she was in a disoriented state post-childbirth due to pain and blood loss.
As of now, Mauthe remains in custody at the Armstrong County Jail without bond, facing a range of charges. The schedule for her next court appearance has not been disclosed.
Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com
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