Vandergrift, PA – A Pennsylvania mother has received her sentence after leaving her children in hazardous living conditions while she was away with her boyfriend. Heidi Beer, 35, faces three to 23 months in prison for her actions.
Upon her release, Beer will serve three years of probation and six months of electronic monitoring at her residence. She previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including endangering the welfare of children.
Beer and her mother, 69-year-old Leslie Ann Keller, were arrested after police were called to the home due to a reported fight on July 28. Officers discovered the children living in unsanitary circumstances, with evidence of neglect throughout the property.
Investigators noted a strong odor coming from inside the house. The living area was littered with feces, rotten food, and pooling urine on the floors.
Four children, aged 9 to 16, were home alone, with the eldest stating that Beer had not returned for several days. The situation was further complicated by the absence of water and a broken shower spigot.
Beer was reportedly living with her boyfriend in Pittsburgh while her children were left behind. The boyfriend had encouraged her to abandon the children, promising a better life without them.
Keller, who lived nearby, was aware of the appalling conditions but had not intervened. One child disclosed that they would fill cat litter containers with water from her house, as their own home had no running water.
As Keller was shown the home during the police investigation, she attempted to reprimand the oldest child for the mess. An officer corrected her, emphasizing that the children were not responsible for the deplorable conditions.
Keller faces similar charges of endangering the welfare of children and awaits arraignment.
