WAYNESBORO, PA – A 4-year-old boy was found dead inside a Waynesboro home after authorities say he had been left on the floor for more than 24 hours, prompting felony charges against his mother amid allegations of prolonged neglect and inconsistent statements to investigators. The child, who was autistic and nonverbal, was discovered after a 911 call placed Monday afternoon, when his mother reportedly questioned whether attempting CPR would be appropriate.
Amie Marie Ruleman was taken into custody and charged with one count of felony endangering the welfare of a child, according to police. Officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of Pratt Court shortly after 1 p.m. April 7 for a report of an unresponsive child. The boy was pronounced dead at the scene, with investigators noting he appeared to have been deceased for an extended period.
Shifting timeline raises concerns
Ruleman initially told authorities she found her son around 11 a.m. kneeling on the floor with his hand on a chair and assumed he was sleeping. She said she checked again about an hour later and found him unconscious and not breathing. However, investigators say she later revised her account, stating she first saw him in that position around 4 a.m. and went back to bed without checking on him.
According to investigators, Ruleman said she later woke to find the child in the same position, took a photo, sent it to a family member, and spent more than an hour in the bathroom before attempting to wake him. She called 911 only after finding him cold to the touch.
Medical findings contradicted her account. The Franklin County coroner determined the child had likely been dead for more than 24 hours. Authorities also reported signs of malnourishment, noting the boy weighed about 25 pounds, significantly below the average weight for his age.
Home conditions and missed care detailed
Investigators described the home as being in disarray, with drug paraphernalia visible and accessible. Witnesses told police the child appeared visibly ill on Easter Sunday, and a visitor urged Ruleman to seek medical care, which she did not do.
During interviews, Ruleman reportedly admitted she had missed at least five medical appointments for her son over the past two years, despite obtaining care and prescriptions for herself. She also told investigators the child’s diet largely consisted of chips, chicken nuggets, and mini pancakes, and claimed he sometimes ate his own clothing.
“Based on the evidence gathered, including the child’s physical condition, the inconsistencies in the timeline provided by Amie Ruleman, the presence of controlled substances and drug paraphernalia within the residence, and Ruleman’s own admissions regarding her failure to seek medical care for her son, there is sufficient probable cause to believe that Ruleman’s actions and neglect contributed to the condition of her child,” prosecutors wrote in charging documents.
An official cause of death is pending the results of an autopsy scheduled for this week. Ruleman is being held at the Franklin County Prison in lieu of $1 million bond and is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on April 21.
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