A Pennsylvania woman, Jessica Mauthe, 39, was arrested last month after authorities discovered four dead newborns hidden throughout her home, where she had lived for years before being evicted. Mauthe appeared in court Tuesday for a preliminary hearing before District Judge J. Gary DeComo, pleading not guilty to charges including criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter, concealment of a child’s death, and abuse of a corpse.
According to court records, the first child was born around six years ago, while the most recent was delivered roughly 18 months ago. Police said Mauthe allegedly kept each infant hidden in her home after delivery, which reportedly took place in her bathroom. Witnesses testified that the infants were found in tote bags, buckets, and closets, with one infant discovered by the landlord wrapped in towels and rubbish bags.
During testimony, Mauthe allegedly provided chilling accounts of the births, including that the fourth child, born alive, was wrapped in a towel and held until it stopped making noise. Her defence lawyer, Chuck Pascal, argued that there is no evidence of the causes of death and that Mauthe’s statements may not be reliable due to her condition after childbirth.
Judge DeComo upheld all charges, and Mauthe was ordered to remain in custody at the Armstrong County Jail without bail. The date of her next court appearance has not yet been scheduled.
