Armstrong County woman facing new charges after police find 4 dead babies in home

An Armstrong County woman is facing new charges after police said they found the remains of four infants in her home. 

Jessica Mauthe is facing one count of criminal homicide, one count of involuntary manslaughter, four counts of concealing the death of a child and four counts of abuse of a corpse, Pennsylvania State Police announced on Thursday. 

Mauthe had originally been charged after three babies were found, but sources told KDKA-TV on Monday night that there were actually four dead babies inside the home. State police confirmed the remains of four babies on Thursday. 

Troopers said they were called to a home on Oak Avenue in Cadogan Township in September to investigate after a dead baby was found inside a vacant home. The property owner told police that he had evicted Mauthe in August, and while cleaning up, he found a trash bag in a closet with a foul odor. 

As police continued to investigate, they said the remains of four infants were found in a bedroom and the attic. 

Criminal complaint details disturbing allegations 

According to the criminal complaint, Mauthe told troopers that she gave birth about six years ago in the bathroom. She said she heard the baby "whimpering," then passed out. She told police that when she woke up, the baby was dead, so she wrapped it up and hid its body. 

Police said she also admitted to giving birth to another baby in the bathroom and doing the same thing with its body. 

Then about a year ago, police said Mauthe told them she gave birth again while on the toilet. She told police that she heard the baby making noises, and she wrapped it in a towel, holding it against her until it stopped breathing. Then she hid its body, too, police said. 

According to investigators, Mauthe never sought medical attention for any of the babies and never notified anyone. 

After an autopsy on Sunday, investigators said they learned that there were actually four babies. 

Mauthe was arraigned on Thursday and was denied bail. 

State police said they're still investigating, along with South Buffalo Township police, the Armstrong County District Attorney's Office and the Armstrong County Coroner's Office. 

Anyone with information is asked to call state police in Kittanning at 724-543-2011.