Share this @internewscast.com

SPARTANSBURG, Pa. — A Pennsylvania man was arrested Saturday and charged with the slaying of a pregnant Amish woman whose body was found last week.

Shawn C. Cranston, 52, of Corry, has been charged with criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary and criminal trespass, Pennsylvania State Police said.

He was denied bail at a preliminary arraignment early Saturday morning and is being held at the Crawford County jail. Online court records show a preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 15; they do not list a defense attorney.

Calls and emails to state police, the district attorney and public defender’s offices were not immediately returned Saturday morning.

Cranston’s arrest comes less than a week after authorities found the body of Rebekah A. Byler, 23, in the living room of her home a few miles from Spartansburg.

Police said she appeared to have cutting wounds to her neck and head.

The killing shocked the rural community in northwestern Pennsylvania, where people say the Amish get along well with their neighbors in the area.

Police began their investigation Feb. 26 after Byler’s husband, Andy Byler, found her body inside the home shortly after noon.

Trooper Cynthia Schick told The Associated Press on Thursday the investigation and autopsy have given police an idea of what murder weapon may have been used.

Two young Byler children at the home were not harmed, Schick has said.

The Bylers’ home is located along a dirt road in a very remote farming area. Scores of Amish turned out for calling hours Thursday evening at a home in the community. Many arrived by buggies lit by headlights along the narrow country roads.

Residents said the Amish had a longstanding presence in the area and mix well with the surrounding community. Amish and non-Amish visit each other’s homes, and the Amish work jobs for the non-Amish and attend events like the fish fries, they said. Neighbors have been raising money to help the Byler family.

The Amish generally follow basic Christian beliefs and practices but are not homogeneous, according to the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania. They are known for simple clothing and for relying on horses and buggies for transportation. Local congregations maintain a variety of rules and restrictions regarding dress, the use of technology and participation in American society.

The overall Amish population is nearly 400,000 people in hundreds of settlements across 32 states, Canada and Bolivia. Pennsylvania has one of the greatest concentrations of Amish.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Israel hits Hezbollah targets in Lebanon ahead of deadline to disarm terror group

Israel Strikes Hezbollah in Lebanon as Disarmament Deadline Looms

In a significant escalation, Israel launched a series of airstrikes targeting southern…
NAS Jacksonville sailor arrested after two women killed at Clay County home

Shocking Tragedy at NAS Jacksonville: Sailor Arrested in Double Homicide Case

The Clay County Sheriff’s Office has reported the arrest of Taylor Lomax,…
Minneapolis police chief blasts ICE after agent seen dragging woman through street, kneeling on her back

Minneapolis Police Chief Condemns ICE’s Excessive Force: Shocking Footage Sparks Outrage

The police chief of Minneapolis has strongly criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement…
'My dad is dead': Slain Jacksonville musician's family demands arrest in road rage shooting

Family of Jacksonville Musician Killed in Road Rage Incident Urges Authorities to Make an Arrest

The family of Joe Starkey, a well-known musician from Jacksonville, has broken…
Chicago Bears news: Northwest Indiana leaders hope to lure NFL team as it expands stadium search beyond city, Illinois suburbs

Northwest Indiana Eyes Chicago Bears as Team Explores New Stadium Locations

HAMMOND, Ind. (WLS) — The Chicago Bears have stirred up a storm…
New Kamala Interviews—Including Comments on Epstein Files—Show Why She Should Not Be a 2028 Candidate

Recent Kamala Harris Interviews, Featuring Insights on Epstein Files, Stir Debate Over Her 2028 Candidacy Potential

Vice President Kamala Harris continues her efforts to promote her book, drawing…
Plane, owned by former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, crashes while landing at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina

Aircraft Owned by Ex-NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Experiences Landing Mishap at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina

In a tragic incident in Statesville, North Carolina, a small private jet…
Trump's handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center

Trump-Appointed Board Decides to Rebrand Washington Arts Venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center

In a controversial decision, the board appointed by President Donald Trump has…
Gif of suspect in NYC antisemitic attack

Elias Rosner, Jewish Stabbing Victim, Breaks Silence After Brooklyn Attack: ‘Standing Up to Bullies is Crucial

A Jewish man who survived a stabbing in New York City this…
Pete Davidson, Elsie Hewitt expecting first child together

Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt Celebrate Arrival of Their First Child

In July, Pete Davidson and Elsie Hewitt joyously revealed they were expecting…
Luigi Mangione defense says cops peddled bogus mom quote as judge weighs if evidence will make it to trial

Defense Challenges Police Credibility: Judge to Decide Fate of Key Evidence in Luigi Mangione Case

On Thursday, the defense team for Luigi Mangione, who faces murder charges,…
CTA Blue Line delays today: Person injures himself in Wicker Park, Chicago fire near Damen Avenue CTA train stop, CFD says

CTA Blue Line Delays: Incident and Fire Near Damen Avenue Cause Disruptions in Wicker Park

In a shocking incident on Chicago’s Northwest Side, a man set himself…