Indiana County woman held for trial in her baby's killing
An Indiana County woman was held for trial Thursday in the killing of her baby.
Patricia Hullenbaugh, 21, is charged in the death of her 10-month-old son, Waylon Long.
"We presented evidence from the county coroner and investigators with regards to those charges. Judge (Anthony) Sottile found that there was a prima facie case for those charges, and all of them were moved to the court of common pleas for trial," District Attorney Robert Manzi told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.
Hullenbaugh showed no visible emotions as two Indiana Borough police officers and the coroner testified.
Sgt. Jeffrey Hoag described the baby as lifeless and limp when he arrived at the family's home, and he recounted how he performed CPR. The baby was revived but died days later at UPMC Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Coroner Jerry Overman testified that the baby died as a result of being smothered.
Overman said he was present for video-recorded re-enactments with the mother showing how she said she found the baby's body.
Detective Leroy Anderson told the court Hullenbaugh's story changed during those re-tellings of what happened - and that, days after the child's death, she eventually admitted she killed the infant.
"There was testimony presented by law enforcement that provided her making different statements to situations indicating that her story changed," Manzi said. "There were no videos presented at the hearing today. All of the videos, whether it was just audio recorded or just video recorded or both, have been preserved by the police department and will be provided in discovery and potentially used at trial."
Anderson testified that days after the death, Hullenbaugh eventually said in police interview that she was frustrated with Waylon's crying and was not sure what "triggered her" to put a blanket on his head until he stopped crying.
District Judge Anthony Sottile III presided over the preliminary hearing. Hullenbaugh continues to be held in the Indiana County Jail. No trial date has yet been set.
The district attorney confirmed other evidence has been developed since Hullenbaugh's arrest.
"Yes, we have had a number of individuals who were able to come forward to present us with various pieces of evidence that we believe is relevant to the matter," Manzi said. We continue to ask anybody in the community who has any relevant information to provide that to the Indiana Borough Police Department. This case doesn't end just today because there's a preliminary hearing. We will continue to gather any and all evidence that we can find throughout this matter."