By Merideth Bucher 51-year-old Christy Willis of Sunbury proclaimed “I am innocent” while being led out of the Northumberland County courthouse following her conviction on charges of obstruction in child abuse cases, hindering apprehension and making false reports to law enforcement.
Child abuse reports dropped across Pennsylvania last year, raising concerns from child welfare professionals that the COVID-19 pandemic isolated children from the school employees, healthcare providers, and other community members who are legally required to report suspected abuse. Lebanon County, where two high-profile child abuse investigations came to light in the last year, has seen a different trend since the beginning of the school year.
The vote on Wednesday is part of a belt-and-suspenders approach that also includes a potential constitutional amendment. The bill was sent to the state Senate by a vote of 149 to 52.
By Merideth Bucher The children told investigators that while their father typically inflicted the punishments, their mother would watch and at times assisted.
The move follows an August Philadelphia Inquirer investigation that outlined a pattern of abuse spanning 25 years.
An Annville couple is facing charges for allegedly neglecting, abusing, and killing a 12-year-old child in their care. The Lebanon County District Attorney announced Scott Schollenberger, 42, and Kimberly Maurer, 37, are in custody and being held without bail.
