Inset: Amie M. Ruleman (Waynesboro Police). Background: The area in Pennsylvania where Ruleman and her now-dead son lived (Google Maps).
In Pennsylvania, a mother faces accusations of extreme neglect after her 4-year-old autistic son was discovered deceased on their home’s floor, having been left there for over a day before she dialed 911. During the emergency call, she reportedly told the dispatcher that administering CPR didn’t seem appropriate, as per the police.
This week, Amie Marie Ruleman was arrested and charged with a felony count of endangering the welfare of a child, linked to her son’s death, authorities revealed.
Waynesboro Police Department officers arrived at the residence on the 500 block of Pratt Court around 1 p.m. on April 7, responding to a report of an unresponsive child, as detailed by Penn Live reported. Ruleman informed the dispatcher that she discovered her son kneeling with his hand on a chair at approximately 11 a.m. She initially thought he was asleep, but upon checking an hour later, she found him unconscious and not breathing.
Upon arriving at the scene, investigators declared the child deceased, observing signs he had been dead for a significant period, as reported by Harrisburg’s ABC affiliate WHTM reported.
Ruleman initially claimed that her son had been ill since Easter Sunday, experiencing stomach problems and vomiting. She mentioned administering Tylenol on the morning of his death, noting that despite being autistic and nonverbal, he had no other known health issues.
However, as the investigation progressed, discrepancies in her account began to surface.
Ruleman reportedly revised her statement, telling investigators she saw her son kneeling on the floor with his arm resting on a chair around 4 a.m. and went back to bed instead of checking on him. Hours later, she woke again and found him in the same position, at one point taking a photo and sending it to a family member and then spending more than an hour in the bathroom before attempting to wake him.
Only after she found him unresponsive and cold to the touch did she call 911.
Investigators say medical evidence contradicted her account. The Franklin County coroner determined the boy had likely been dead for more than 24 hours — far longer than Ruleman claimed — and noted signs of malnourishment, with the child weighing about 25 pounds, well below the 35-pound average for his age, according to a report from Lancaster NBC affiliate WGAL.
Authorities also reportedly documented troubling conditions inside the home. Investigators described the residence as being in disarray, with drug paraphernalia visible and in areas the child could have accessed.
Witness accounts added to concerns about the boy’s condition before his death. A friend who visited the home on Easter Sunday told police the child appeared visibly ill and urged Ruleman to seek medical care, but she did not take him to a hospital, according to York Fox affiliate WPMT.
During interviews, Ruleman allegedly admitted she had missed at least five doctor appointments for her son over the past two years — despite seeking medical care and prescription medications for herself. She also reportedly had no explanation for failing to take him.
Ruleman further claimed her son’s diet consisted almost entirely of chips, chicken nuggets, and mini pancakes, adding that he often ate his own clothing.
“Based on the evidence gathered, including the child’s physical condition, the inconsistencies in the timeline provided by Amie Ruleman, the presence of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia within the residence, and Ruleman’s own admissions regarding her failure to seek medical care for her son, there is sufficient probable cause to believe that Ruleman’s actions and neglect contributed to the condition of her child,” prosecutors wrote in charging documents.
An official cause of death for the victim will be determined following an autopsy scheduled for this week.
Ruleman is currently being held at the Franklin County Prison in lieu of $1 million bond. She is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on April 21.
