Woman Pleads Guilty In Mother's Murder, Sentenced To Life Without Parole
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A Westmoreland County woman has pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the beating and strangulation death of her mother.
Sarah Vercauteren is accused in the death of her mother, Dawn Marie Wagner, on New Year's Eve in 2014 inside of Wagner's trailer.
Investigators say Vercauteren told police that she asked to borrow her mother's car to go and buy drugs.
When her mother told her no, Vercauteren is accused of grabbing a hammer and beating Wagner with it. Police say Vercauteren said after the beating her mother was still alive, so she choked her while telling her she loved her.
Vercauteren told police she was strung out on heroin.
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On Tuesday in court, the judge sentenced Vercauteren to life without parole.
Vercauteren is also accused of robbing a bank in Versailles and attempting to rob a fast food restaurant.
She was eventually arrested at a traffic stop in McKeesport when police discovered she left her 2-year-old son unattended in the car.