In a chilling discovery, police officers were shocked when a landlord reported finding a deceased baby at a tenant’s residence. This grim finding was just the beginning of a disturbing series of events.
The lifeless infant was found last month at the dwelling of Jessica Mauthe, a 39-year-old tenant who had resided there for an extended period. The baby was wrapped in towels and garbage bags, hidden in a closet. Mauthe, who recently appeared in court for a preliminary hearing, was apprehended following this unsettling revelation. Upon further investigation at the residence, law enforcement uncovered the remains of three more newborns, concealed in tote bags and buckets in the attic.
During her court appearance before District Judge J. Gary DeComo in western Pennsylvania, Mauthe pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter, concealing a child’s death, and abusing a corpse. The homicide charges pertain to the most recent child born approximately 18 months ago, while the manslaughter charges relate to the first child born around six years ago.
According to a Pennsylvania State trooper’s testimony, Mauthe provided details about each of the four infants, all delivered in the bathroom. Mauthe claimed the first baby emitted a sound before she lost consciousness, waking up later to find the infant lifeless. Details regarding the second and third infants’ statuses remain unclear, with Mauthe stating the third baby, known as “Baby C,” made no noise upon delivery. Mauthe allegedly confessed to intentionally ending the life of the fourth newborn.
In a probable cause affidavit, authorities stated that Mauthe kept the last infant wrapped in a towel until it ceased making noise. Mauthe admitted holding the baby for a period before its silence, unsure if the death resulted from her grip or suffocation.
Mauthe’s defense attorney argued against the homicide and manslaughter charges, citing a lack of evidence regarding the causes of the infants’ deaths. He suggested Mauthe’s confessions might have been influenced by post-childbirth trauma.
Currently detained without bond at Armstrong County Jail, Mauthe faces multiple charges, with her next court date pending.