Cadogan Township, PA – Pennsylvania authorities have filed additional charges against 39-year-old Jessica Mauthe after the discovery of a fourth deceased infant in the home she had been renting. Mauthe is now facing criminal homicide and involuntary manslaughter charges, in addition to previous charges including criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse.
Discovery of the Deceased Infants
The grisly discovery occurred after the owner of the property, located on the 100 block of Oak Avenue, evicted Mauthe for failing to pay rent. According to the landlord, Brent Flanigan, he and a worker entered the residence on September 13 to clean up after Mauthe had left several cats behind.
“We went in to start cleaning, and that’s when we found the bag. It was wrapped up in three or four different garbage bags, tied tight. The smell was horrendous,” Flanigan told WPXI.
Inside the bag, they found the remains of a deceased infant. A subsequent search revealed two more bodies in the attic, and police later confirmed the discovery of a fourth deceased child in the home.
Mauthe’s Statements to Police
In interviews with police, Mauthe admitted to giving birth to all four children in her bathroom. She claimed the first child, born about six years ago, died after she passed out on top of it. She alleged the second child was stillborn, while she reportedly admitted to intentionally killing the third child about a year ago, describing how she wrapped the infant in a towel until it stopped making noise.
Authorities said Mauthe never sought medical attention for any of the infants and made no effort to contact law enforcement after their deaths.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
Mauthe is currently being held without bond in the Armstrong County Jail. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on September 30. The Pennsylvania State Police are working with the Indiana County Coroner’s Office, which is performing autopsies on all four infants.
The charges against Mauthe now include:
- Criminal homicide (two additional counts)
- Involuntary manslaughter
- Previous charges of abuse of a corpse
Community Impact and Safety Context
The case has sent shockwaves through Cadogan Township, highlighting the importance of reporting child welfare concerns. Authorities urge neighbors and community members to remain vigilant and report signs of abuse or neglect to prevent similar tragedies.
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