Greensburg couple accused of child abuse
A Greensburg couple is accused of allowing children to live in squalid conditions, according to city police.
The children were at the residence of Robert B. Conklin Jr., 39, and Erin E. Pitts, 38,, both of Allegheny Avenue, when a Westmoreland County Children and Youth Services caseworker found them living in deplorable conditions in October, according to the criminal complaint.
Police said two 4-year-olds were staying in a bedroom that had feces on the floor, a wet bed and soiled diapers, while a 2-year-old had a discolored leg and could not stand without help.
Both Conklin and Pitts were charged with three felony counts of endangering the welfare of children. Conklin also was accused of corruption of minors for allegedly giving whiskey to one of the 4-year-old children.
CYS had received complaints that the parents were not taking the children to required services, including physical therapy, police said. A CYS worker took the children in October to UPMC Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh, where the worker saw the 2-year-old’s leg was red and disclored.
The father of two of the children provided police with a photo taken in January 2023 in which it appeared alcohol was being poured down one child’s throat, police said.
Police filed the charges with Greensburg District Judge Chris Flanigan. A preliminary hearing for the couple has yet to be scheduled.
Joe Napsha is a TribLive reporter covering Irwin, North Huntingdon and the Norwin School District. He also writes about business issues. He grew up on Neville Island and has worked at the Trib since the early 1980s. He can be reached at jnapsha@triblive.com.
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