Police: Remains of dead babies were in woman’s home for years
By Ava Rash
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FORD CITY, Pennsylvania (WTAE) — During Jessica Mauthe’s preliminary hearing in Armstrong County on Tuesday, Pennsylvania State Police troopers said four dead babies were found inside her home, some of which they say had been there for years.
Mauthe faced a judge and Pittsburgh’s Action News 4, but had no comments about her case.
Troopers testified that the dead babies were found in various parts of the home she was renting on Oak Lane, including her children’s toy room closet.
Troopers said that during an interview with Mauthe, she detailed each birth and how at least two of the births dated back five to six years, one as recent as a year and a half to two years ago.
Those births, a trooper said, happened in her bathroom. She then allegedly took the dead infants and hid them away in the home.
Authorities say the investigation began when Mauthe was evicted from a home in Cadogan Township. The landlord previously told Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 that while clearing the home, he discovered a deceased baby wrapped in plastic in a closet.
Her attorney, Chuck Pascal, said there was no scientific evidence provided during the hearing, and she could have dreamed up the whole scenario she told police.
“You have got to question everything Ms. Mauthe may have said, whether it was accurate or not; she may not know,” he said. “I want everybody to keep an open mind until the end of the case.”
A judge sided with the commonwealth and held all charges against Mauthe, including homicide and involuntary manslaughter.
The case will now head to the court of common pleas.
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