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Horrifying new details have come to light in the case of a Pennsylvania mum who was arrested last month after police reportedly found four dead babies in her home, where she had lived for years before being evicted. Jessica Mauthe, 39, appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday before District Judge J. Gary DeComo, where she pleaded not guilty to one count each of criminal homicide and involuntary manslaughter . She also faces charges of concealing the death of a child and abuse of a corpse, according to court records. During the hearing, several witnesses were called by the prosecution to testify about the investigation into Mauthe, who was initially released after her landlord discovered a dead infant wrapped in towels and rubbish bags hidden in one of the closets. A subsequent search of the property led to the discovery of three more dead newborns concealed in tote bags or buckets in the house's loft, reports the Mirror US . A Pennsylvania State trooper testified on Tuesday that the homicide charges relate to the most recent child Mauthe gave birth to around 18 months ago. The manslaughter charges apply to the first child she gave birth to, which occurred approximately six years ago, according to court documents. Another trooper told the court that Mauthe provided a chilling account regarding each of the children who were concealed in the property, all of whom were delivered in the bathroom. Mauthe allegedly claimed the first infant made a "whimper" before Mauthe lost consciousness and awoke lying on top of the child, who had already died. Particulars about the second and third infants remained unclear, specifically whether the children were alive or stillborn. Mauthe allegedly stated the third child, referred to as "Baby C" in court documents, made no sounds after being delivered in the toilet. The fourth child was allegedly murdered by Mauthe after being born alive, also in the toilet. "The child remained in the toilet for several minutes; during this time, she could hear the child making noises," police wrote in a probable cause affidavit. "Mauthe removed the child from the toilet, wrapped a towel around the infant's entire body, where it remained until it stopped making noises." Mauthe confessed that she held the baby for approximately 15 to 20 minutes before it stopped making noise, and she was uncertain if the death was due to gripping the child too firmly or because he had covered the child's nose and mouth, the trooper testified. Mauthe's defence solicitor, Chuck Pascal, argued that his client should not face homicide and manslaughter charges as the prosecutors failed to provide any evidence regarding the children's causes of death, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Pascal also suggested that Mauthe's confessions shouldn't be taken at face value as she was likely in a "dream" state due to the pain, pressure, and blood loss post childbirth. "You can't confess to a crime that can't be proven in some other way," he told the court, as reported by the outlet. "There was no evidence introduced today about any cause of death, about whether any baby was alive, any scientific evidence. Therefore, you've got to question anything that Miss Mauthe may have said, whether it was accurate or not. She may not know." Despite Pascal's arguments, DeComo upheld all of the charges against Mauthe, indicating that she will face trial. She was ordered to stay in custody at the Armstrong County Jail without bail. The date of her next court appearance is currently unknown.
