A 39-year-old woman from Ford City, Pennsylvania, faces multiple charges including criminal homicide after police uncovered the bodies of four infants in her former residence. The discovery was made by her former landlord, Brent Flanigan, who called law enforcement to the home she had been evicted from last month due to nonpayment of rent.
Flanigan described to local news outlet WTAE-TV that while cleaning the home, he noticed a trash bag in a closet emitting a foul odor and containing something wrapped in towels that was decomposing. This led to an investigation where authorities found the bodies of three other infants in the attic, wrapped in towels and inside plastic bags. The tragic discovery shocked the community, with a neighbor expressing disbelief and describing the events as ‘evil.’
Mauthe, who was previously interviewed by investigators, claimed that one newborn had made noises after birth and was held against her until it stopped breathing. She told police that she passed out on the floor after the child’s birth and found it beneath her when she awoke. The allegations have raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the infants’ deaths, prompting a preliminary hearing set for next week.
As the investigation continues, the case has sparked widespread outrage and prompted discussions about child welfare and maternal health in the community. The tragic events have left neighbors grappling with the unimaginable, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support for those in vulnerable situations.