Charges withdrawn against 3 of 4 Blackburn Center staffers

Criminal charges were withdrawn Thursday afternoon against three of the four Blackburn Center staffers that police had said obstructed efforts by the state police to enforce an emergency custody order issued this month by a county judge.

According to a statement issued by Westmoreland County District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli, the cases against center Director Renee Reitz and employees Adrean Orsini and Mariia Robinson filed earlier this week will not be prosecuted.

Two misdemeanor counts, obstruction and disorderly conduct, remain against a fourth employee, Eleonora M. Marsili, 65, of Hempfield.

In announcing the decision, Ziccarelli said her office supported the state police’s actions to execute a search warrant to locate a child who she said was subject of an emergency custody order.

“The paramount concern of the state troopers was the safety and well-being of the child, which is always a paramount concern of this office,” according to the statement. “After review of the current evidence and the application of the law, at this time, the district attorney’s office is withdrawing the criminal complaints against Reitz, Orsini and Robinson pending any further investigation.”

Spokeswoman Melanie Jones confirmed the charges against Marsili remain. Marsili is not in custody, according to court records. She did not have a lawyer listed and could not be reached for comment.

The Blackburn Center, based in Greensburg, advocates on behalf of domestic violence victims and operates a 24-hour shelter for woman and children.

Police on Wednesday disclosed that charges were filed against the four Blackburn Center employees. They said shelter staff prevented police from searching the facility and enforcing an emergency court-issued custody order. According to court records, state troopers initially contacted shelter staff about 4 p.m. on Oct. 1.

Troopers were initially turned away and returned to the shelter about four hours later and were again met with opposition from staff who, according to police, physically prevented them from entering the facility. Troopers eventually pried open a door to enter the shelter, police said.

Reitz, the center’s director, arrived at the shelter during the incident and according to police, told staffers not to let troopers enter as she unsuccessfully attempted to contact an attorney, according to the criminal complaint.

Police said the court order granted custody to the child’s biological father.

Reitz did not return a call late Thursday afternoon seeking comment.