PUNXSUTAWNEY BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) – A Punxsutawney woman facing a child endangerment charge after allegedly leaving a young child playing in a parking lot unsupervised and underdressed is due in court this week.
Court documents indicate 27-year-old Jessica L. Latta, of Punxsutawney, is scheduled to stand for a preliminary hearing in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 7.
She faces the following charge:
– Endangering Welfare of Children – Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Misdemeanor 1
According to a criminal complaint, a childline report was sent to the Jefferson County District Attorney on Monday, February 4, and the confidential informant was contacted to report to the police station for an interview. Officer Andrekovich was then provided a written statement and video from the confidential informant.
According to the complaint, the informant/witness stated she saw a young female child running around a parking lot unsupervised, and recognized the child as the daughter of Jessica Latta. The witness stated she saw the child enter Latta’s vehicle and place the vehicle in gear as the brake lights came on and off. The witness then used her cellphone to record video of the child for approximately 30 minutes.
The witness stated the child ran around the parking lot without supervision and proper clothing in frigid temperatures, according to the complaint.
The complaint notes Officer Andrekovich also contacted CYS and spoke to an employee who advised they had done a home visit for child protective service reasons, as well.
The charge was filed through Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office on Tuesday, February 12.
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