A Pennsylvania mother has been sentenced after authorities found that she left her children living alone in dangerous and unsanitary conditions while she stayed elsewhere with her boyfriend.
Heidi Beer, 35, was sentenced to between three and 23 months in prison, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime. After her release, she will be placed on probation for three years and will also be required to undergo six months of electronic monitoring, reportedly at the same residence involved in the case.
Beer previously pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, and making a false report.
Police were called to the home in Vandergrift Borough, Westmoreland County, on July 28 following a report of a fight. When officers arrived, they discovered conditions far beyond what they expected. According to a criminal complaint, officers noted a strong odor coming from the house and observed widespread filth inside, including animal waste, spoiled food, and pooled urine on the floors.
Four children, ranging in age from 9 to 16, were found inside the home. The oldest child told police their mother had not been home for several days. Investigators reported the home had no running water, a broken shower fixture, and sleeping arrangements consisting of deflated air mattresses. Holes were also observed in the ceiling throughout the residence.
Authorities said Beer had been staying with her boyfriend in Pittsburgh, about a 50-minute drive away. According to reports, the boyfriend encouraged her to leave the children behind, telling her he could offer her a better life without them.
Investigators also determined that the children’s grandmother, 69-year-old Leslie Ann Keller, lived about a mile away and was aware of the conditions. One of the children told police Keller had avoided entering the home for months because it was “too gross.” Keller allegedly admitted that the children would bring empty containers to her home to fill with water due to the lack of running water at their own residence.
While touring the home with police, Keller reportedly scolded the oldest child for not cleaning. An officer intervened, stating it was not the children’s responsibility to clean the severe mess.
Keller was also charged with endangering the welfare of children and is awaiting formal arraignment.