Westmoreland County parents charged after children found living in deplorable conditions

A Westmoreland County couple is facing charges after police said their 4-year-old twins and 2-year-old girl were found living in deplorable conditions. 

According to court paperwork, during a visit to the Greensburg home of Robert Conklin Jr. and Erin Pitts on Oct. 4 of last year, a children and youth services worker found the twins in a room with feces and Styrofoam pieces on the floor. The children were wearing soiled, soggy diapers that had been duct-taped around their waists, police said. 

A 2-year-old was found in another room inside a pack-and-play "with her legs contorted in an unnatural position," police wrote in the criminal complaint. The case worker reported the girl's legs appeared light purple and she couldn't stand without help, suggesting a possible injury or neglect in her care. Police said her diaper was also soiled and had leaked through the pack-and-play liner. 

The criminal complaint says one of the older children told the case worker that they had seen Conklin give whiskey to one of the twins. One of the 4-year-olds reportedly asked if he could try the alcohol, and Conklin handed him the drink, police said. 

During a visit on Oct. 22, another case worker noted that the toddler had bruises on her leg, and she was taken to the hospital.

A few days after that, police said they got another child line complaint about Conklin. Police said the complaint was based on a social media post from Jan. 1, 2023, where Conklin shared a photo that appeared to show alcohol being poured into his child's mouth, with the caption, "Enjoying a tequila sunrise with dad." 

Both are facing three counts of endangering the welfare of children, and Conklin is facing an additional charge of corruption of minors.