3 people charged in connection to newborn’s death in Pennsylvania

SULLIVAN COUNTY, Pa. — Three people have been charged in connection with the death of a newborn baby in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania, officials say.

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The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office in a news release accounted that three people have been arrested in connection with a newborn’s death nearly a year after the child died.

Amy Hoenigke, Drew Hoenigke, and Brigitte Meckes were the three that police arrested, according to the AG’s office.

“These individuals neglected their responsibilities to care for an innocent child,” said Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the news release. “By failing to get him appropriate medical care, this baby needlessly suffered and died. Terrible tragedies like these can be prevented, and my office will hold individuals accountable who knowingly put the lives of others, especially vulnerable children, at risk.”

A baby boy was born around Jan. 15, 2022, at home. According to Shaprio’s office, Hoenigke’s family friend, Meckes, was present during the birth to help. She reportedly had some medical experience but was allegedly not licensed to practice medical care.

Amy and Drew Hoenigke had allegedly failed to contact authorities because they were fearful that their two-year-old would be taken away, according to the AG’s office.

The baby reportedly died about two days later, the AG’s office said, according to CBS News.

Prosecutors said after the birth, the baby reportedly had shown signs of “severe distress.” The baby reportedly had difficulty breathing and turned colors. Shapiro’s office said that the defendants’ inactions led to “needless suffering, and made it impossible for the baby to survive.”

Amy Hoenigke and Meckes allegedly used a peppermint oil infuser and tried to create a “makeshift breathing tube from a water bottle,” instead of seeking professional medical care, according to the attorney general.

Pennsylvania State Police reportedly responded to the Hoenigke’s house on Jan. 20 which was about three days after the baby died. Amy Hoenigke allegedly had called the police to report that she found her baby deceased in a bassinet, prosecutors said, according to CBS News.

When troopers arrived at the house, they found the home in a “disheveled condition,” and found the baby’s remains. According to CBS News, the remains reportedly already had signs of decomposition.

Shapiro’s office said Amy Hoenigke, Drew Hoenigke, and Meckes have been charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, reckless endangering another person, and endangering the welfare of children.

No further information has been released.

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