Pennsylvania mother arrested after police make horrifying discovery in closet

A Pennsylvania woman faces charges after police found the remains of her four infants in the closet and attic of a home she was evicted from last month.

Jessica Marie Mauthe, 39, was apprehended following a call from her former landlord to police about the home she had occupied near Ford City, approximately 40 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

The landlord, Brent Flanigan, told WTAE-TV that he had law enforcement evict Mauthe for nonpayment on Aug. 14. 

The landlord began cleaning the property and discovered a trash bag in a closet emitting a foul odor; inside, something wrapped in towels was decomposing, as detailed in the arrest affidavit issued Thursday.

Mauthe informed troopers that about six years ago, after giving birth to one newborn, she heard it whimper, but subsequently passed out on the floor. Upon waking, she found the baby under her, unresponsive and not breathing, she recounted.

Police setup perimeter around shooting in the village of Thompson in Susquehanna County, PA

Pennsylvania State Police have investigated the incident. (AP Photo/Aimee Dilger)

Mauthe faces charges of criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple counts of corpse abuse. She currently remains in the Armstrong County Jail without bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for next week.

You May Also Like
Trump picks Lance Schroyer to become ICE director

Trump Nominates Lance Schroyer as ICE Director

President Trump said Saturday that he plans to nominate retired Oklahoma State…
6 injured Boston duck boat tips near Cambridge ramp

Six Injured as Boston Duck Boat Tips Near Cambridge Ramp

A large emergency response unfolded Saturday after a Boston duck boat overturned…
Pete Buttigieg and his kids were targeted by child services swatting call, police say

Pete Buttigieg’s Family Targeted in Child Services Swatting Hoax, Police Say

Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, a prominent Democrat and widely discussed possible…
Did a Louisiana father use his 6-year-old son as an alibi for murder?

Louisiana Father Accused of Using 6-Year-Old Son as Alibi in Murder Case

For more than 20 years, Reginald Reed Jr., known as Reggie, lived…
Polygamous sect leader convicted on state charges after girls found in unventilated trailer

Polygamous Sect Leader Convicted After Girls Found in Unventilated Trailer

Tim Tebow: This is a huge win Former football star Tim Tebow…
Travis Kelce Taylor Swift wedding rumors: Are Taylor, Travis getting married at Madison Square Garden? What we know

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Wedding Rumors: Are They Getting Married at Madison Square Garden?

NEW YORK — Could Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce be planning a…
Gun-wielding couple in viral BLM standoff got firepower — and 'a voice' — back after legal saga

St. Louis Couple in Viral BLM Protest Gun Standoff Regain Firearms After Legal Fight

It became one of the most recognizable scenes of 2020: a pair…
Mackenzie Shirilla's appeal rejected by court after 'The Crash' revives ‘Hell on Wheels’ case

Mackenzie Shirilla Appeal Denied as The Crash Documentary Reignites Hell on Wheels Case

Mackenzie Shirilla’s attempt to persuade Ohio’s top court to consider her newest…
George Soros funneled staggering $103M into midterms so far

George Soros Has Spent $103 Million on Midterm Elections So Far

Billionaire Democratic donor George Soros has contributed $102.8 million during the current…
4 dead in Kentucky after heavy rain and floods put 12 state roads

Kentucky Flooding Kills 4 as Heavy Rain Shuts Down 12 State Roads

June 27, 2026 / 8:35 PM EDT / AP Severe thunderstorm-driven flooding…
Trump-Endorsed Congresswoman Julia Letlow Wins GOP Runoff in Louisiana, Favored to Win in November

Trump-Backed Julia Letlow Wins Louisiana GOP Runoff, Enters November as Favorite

Rep. Julia Letlow has captured the Republican runoff in Louisiana, powered by…
Doug Burgum talks unreported threats to Trump near Reflecting Pool

Doug Burgum Discusses Previously Unreported Threats to Trump Near Reflecting Pool

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said Saturday that authorities had not previously disclosed…