INDIANA COUNTY, PA – A local mother is facing homicide and strangulation charges in connection with her 9-month-old son’s death, according to Indiana County police. Patricia Hullenbaugh, 21, was arrested after an initial report of an unresponsive infant led to a deeper investigation by officers.
Police officers were called to an Indiana Borough home on January 6, where they found the young child without a pulse and not breathing. He was rushed to a hospital where he regained a pulse temporarily and was then transferred to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. Sadly, the child succumbed to his condition on January 11.
During the investigation, the police conducted interviews with the child’s parents. Hullenbaugh initially claimed that she had left the child for a nap and upon checking an hour later, found him partially hanging from the crib, face-down on the mattress. However, her narrative allegedly changed during ‘reenactments’ performed with the authorities.
The mother then admitted to checking the child thrice owing to his incessant crying that reportedly frustrated her. Upon further interrogation post the child’s passing, Hullenbaugh shockingly confessed to smothering the infant using a blanket, applying pressure on his face and head.
She recalled panicking after the child stopped breathing and hastily tried to manipulate the crib slats to conceal her dreadful act. Disturbingly, she also admitted to waiting for 15 minutes before waking the child’s father for help. Although she expressed regret for not seeking help sooner, this admission came at the end of her interview with the authorities.
Given the severity of her actions, Hullenbaugh was charged with criminal homicide, child endangerment, and strangulation based on online court records. She was arraigned on Wednesday and is currently held without bail in the Indiana County Jail.