A landlord's routine cleanup of a recently vacated rental property led to the horrific discovery of four dead infants hidden throughout the home.

According to People, the grim finding occurred after Pennsylvania tenant Jessica Mauthe, 39, was evicted from her Cadogan Township residence for failing to pay rent.

The disturbing case began unfolding on September 13 when landlord Brent Flanigan entered the property to clean following Mauthe's August eviction. While cleaning, Flanigan noticed a strong odor coming from a trash bag in a closet, where he discovered the remains of a dead baby and immediately contacted authorities.

Gruesome Discovery Leads To Multiple Charges

Police searching the vacant home found two additional tote bags in the attic, each containing the remains of another infant. The initial discovery prompted immediate charges against Mauthe, including criminal homicide and abuse of a corpse, as investigators began piecing together the disturbing case.

Less than a week later, on September 18, Pennsylvania State Police announced they had found a fourth set of infant remains in the home. The shocking development expanded the scope of the investigation and led to additional charges against Mauthe.

Mauthe, who is the mother of two living sons ages 6 and 8, admitted to investigators that she had hidden the bodies of three infants after giving birth to them in her bathroom. According to the criminal complaint, she told authorities the births occurred at home without medical assistance.

Woman Admits To Concealing Multiple Births

During police interviews, Mauthe described giving birth approximately six years ago in her bathroom, where she claimed to have passed out after hearing the newborn "whimpering." She told investigators that when she regained consciousness, the infant was dead, prompting her to hide the body.

Mauthe provided disturbing details about two other births, telling police she placed those remains in garbage bags before transferring them to tote bags hidden within the home. In one particularly disturbing account, she described wrapping one infant in a towel after removing it from the toilet.

According to the criminal complaint, Mauthe told police she "could hear the child making several noises" after wrapping it in the towel, where "it remained until it stopped making noises." Investigators noted that Mauthe never sought medical attention for any of the infants and never notified anyone about the births or deaths.

Investigation Continues As Woman Held Without Bail

The rental property where the remains were discovered held personal significance for Mauthe, as it was reportedly her childhood home. According to local media, she had taken over the lease following her father's death.

Mauthe's current family situation includes her two sons and a husband who is currently incarcerated. The relationship between Mauthe and the father or fathers of the deceased infants has not been publicly disclosed by authorities.

The charges against Mauthe now include one count of criminal homicide, one count of involuntary manslaughter, four counts of concealing the death of a child, and four counts of abuse of a corpse. She is currently being held without bail at the Armstrong County Jail as the investigation continues.

Lessons to Learn From This Tragedy

1. Timely communication with authorities can prevent further harm. The landlord’s swift decision to contact the police upon discovering the suspicious smell was crucial in uncovering the tragedy. Timely reporting of unusual signs—such as foul odors, suspicious behavior, or neglected properties—can help protect others and reveal hidden dangers.

2. Access to mental health and maternal healthcare is vital. Mauthe gave birth in isolation multiple times and never received medical help. Adequate support systems for women suffering from isolation, trauma, or financial hardship can help prevent tragic outcomes. Society must provide access to maternal resources and services, especially for vulnerable populations.

3. It’s critical to support vulnerable families. Officials noted that Mauthe had two young sons and a husband who is incarcerated. Circumstances such as single parenthood, financial stress, and a lack of external support can place overwhelming burdens on individuals. Communities, services, and neighbors need to be aware and step in where possible. Still, it's important to remember that crime can affect anyone, and we should never assign blame to victims or oversimplify complex personal struggles.

Why This Story Matters

This incident brings attention to the hidden crises that can happen behind closed doors, even in seemingly quiet neighborhoods. It shows how a combination of isolation, lack of support, and mental health challenges can spiral into tragedies that affect entire communities. It also raises questions about how rental and community systems can better identify and respond to situations involving vulnerable tenants before crises emerge. Understanding this case can help inform broader discussions around family welfare, maternal care, and public safety.

Conclusion

Following the eviction of Jessica Mauthe from her Cadogan Township home in August 2025, her landlord discovered the first of four deceased infants on Sept. 13, ultimately leading to Mauthe’s arrest and criminal charges. Further investigation by Pennsylvania State Police uncovered additional remains, and Mauthe admitted to hiding the bodies of babies she delivered alone, without medical care or notifying authorities. Mauthe now faces serious charges, including homicide and abuse of a corpse, and is held without bail.