Judge nixes manslaughter for dad in kids' dresser deaths

ALIQUIPPA, Pa. - A judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against a Pennsylvania man whose two toddler daughters died when a dresser crashed down onto them.

Twenty-eight-year-old David Beatty Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, must still stand trial for child endangerment in the tragic case.

Police say they discovered deplorable conditions inside the home when they investigated the July 4, 2014 deaths of 2-year-old Brooklyn and 3-year-old Ryeley.

Beatty was in the bathroom when the dresser fell on the girls, and he remained there for about 10 more minutes.

Beaver County prosecutors had argued that Beatty should have known that letting the girls play in and around the dresser was dangerous, and that he should have immediately investigated the crashing sound.

Defense attorney Kevin Kindred says Beatty didn't consciously disregard a dangerous situation, as the law requires to bring a manslaughter case.

"...There was nothing that Mr. Beatty did to directly cause the death of these children," Kindred argued, according to CBS Pittsburgh. "This is a tragic accident. A dresser fell over on them. The Commonwealth's own doctor had ruled that these children would have died within 30 seconds of this dresser falling over.... it is not unreasonable for a parent to leave a child alone for a thirty second period."

Prosecutors may appeal Wednesday's ruling dismissing the manslaughter charges.