Irwin woman arrested after kids, pets found living in dangerous filth

An Irwin woman is behind bars after borough police said seven children were living in deplorable conditions at a home littered with animal feces, rotting trash and insects, according to court papers.

Authorities said 15 animals were removed Tuesday from the Short Street house and Marah S. Urch, 33, was arrested on numerous child endangerment and animal cruelty charges.

She was arraigned Tuesday evening and remains at the Westmoreland County Prison on $250,000 bail.

Police said the investigation started Monday when a neighbor reported several young children, who were dirty, chasing a dog on Short Street unsupervised. One of the children had an overflowing diaper and bloody mouth from falling, according to court papers.

Urch was at a softball game and had left one of the older children to watch the others, according to court papers.

On Tuesday, authorities searched the home where the children, ages 10 months to 15, lived and reported a strong stench of urine and feces, in addition to trash, dirty diapers and rotting food. The water had been shut off in June, police said.

“At some point, the smell of the house caused myself nearly to puke and running out to get fresh air,” Officer Eric Ziska wrote in a criminal complaint. “Therefore, I had to place a face mask on to protect myself from the smell.”

Seven cats, six dogs and two ferrets were removed. Two cats and a hermit crab were found dead.

Urch did not have an attorney listed in online court records. Her preliminary hearing is set for next week.