CADOGAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — Woman Charged After Discovery of Three Dead Infants in Vacant Home
CADOGAN TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A shocking and heartbreaking case has unfolded in Armstrong County after investigators discovered the remains of three infants inside a home on Oak Lane in Cadogan Township. Authorities say the former tenant, 39-year-old Jessica Mauthe of Ford City, has been arrested and now faces multiple felony charges, including criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse.
According to court documents, the investigation began when the property owner, who had recently evicted Mauthe, entered the residence to clean. While going through a closet, the landlord made a horrifying discovery: a trash bag containing the remains of a deceased infant. Authorities were immediately called to the scene.
As police searched the property further, the investigation took an even darker turn. Two additional sets of infant remains were found in plastic totes stored in the attic of the home. The discoveries stunned both investigators and the local community, who are struggling to come to terms with the disturbing events.
In a criminal complaint, police stated that Mauthe admitted during questioning to birthing the infants herself and then placing them in the locations where they were later found. At this time, officials have not released details regarding when the births or deaths took place. Autopsies and forensic testing are being conducted to determine cause and manner of death for each infant.
Jessica Mauthe was taken into custody and is currently being held in the Armstrong County Jail. Prosecutors have indicated that the charges could evolve as investigators gather more evidence and receive autopsy results. Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office has emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that crimes involving the deaths of infants strike at the heart of a community’s sense of safety and compassion.
Residents of Cadogan Township have expressed deep shock and sorrow in the wake of the revelations. Many say the case is nearly impossible to comprehend. “It’s absolutely devastating,” one neighbor said. “We just can’t believe something like this happened so close to home.” Others have voiced outrage and called for justice for the infants whose lives ended before they could begin.
The case has also raised broader conversations about resources for expectant mothers, mental health support, and the availability of safe-haven laws in Pennsylvania. Under the state’s Safe Haven Law, parents can legally and safely surrender newborns at designated locations, such as hospitals or police stations, without facing criminal charges. Authorities hope this case brings greater awareness to such options in order to prevent tragedies in the future.
As the legal process moves forward, Jessica Mauthe remains incarcerated without bail. She faces charges of criminal homicide and multiple counts of abuse of a corpse. A preliminary hearing is expected in the coming weeks.
For now, Armstrong County is left grieving and grappling with the haunting discovery, while law enforcement continues to piece together the timeline and circumstances of the infants’ deaths.
