Case Summary
- Case Type
- Homicide
- Incident Date
- Dec. 20
- Location
- DuBois, DuBois, Pennsylvania
- Investigating Agency
- Law & Crime
- Suspect
- Sarah Brubaker
- Suspect Age
- 36
- Victim Count
- 1
- Charges
- third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child
- Arrest Status
- Arrested
- Court Status
- Proceeding to trial
- Case Status
- Active
A Pennsylvania mother is facing trial for third-degree murder and child endangerment after authorities alleged she neglected her four-year-old daughter inside a freezing home until the child died from an untreated bacterial infection.
Sarah Brubaker, 36, appeared in Clearfield County court for a preliminary hearing where a judge determined enough evidence existed to move the case forward toward trial. The investigation centers on events that unfolded in DuBois, Pennsylvania, located approximately 100 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.
Incident Overview
According to a criminal complaint filed in the case, emergency personnel and police responded after Sarah Brubaker and the child's father attempted to care for the young girl before bringing her to an area hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Investigators stated that on Dec. 20, Brubaker found her four-year-old daughter cold to the touch inside their residence in DuBois, Pennsylvania.
Subsequent medical examinations and an autopsy revealed that the child died from pseudomembranous colitis, an advanced inflammation of the colon capable of causing severe and life-threatening complications. The medical examiner ultimately ruled the young girl's death a homicide caused by neglect. When questioned by investigators, Brubaker allegedly reported that the child had not eaten for at least two weeks, suffered from ongoing diarrhea, and exhibited weakness and balance issues.
Suspect Information
Sarah Brubaker, 36, is the defendant in the Clearfield County criminal case. Court records and police testimony indicate that she resided at the home in DuBois, Pennsylvania, alongside the victim and the child's father. Authorities stated during court proceedings that while the home's heating system was functional and tied to a free natural gas well on the property, it had been turned off. Officers testified that interior conditions were freezing, with frost visible on the windows, while Brubaker and the child's father reportedly slept with heated blankets. According to reports, the child's father died shortly after the incident from complications connected to hypothermia.
Victim Information
The victim is a four-year-old female child whose identity has not been publicly released by authorities in official reports. Medical evaluations determined that her death resulted from pseudomembranous colitis, an advanced bacterial inflammation of the colon. Investigators noted that prior to her death, the child had experienced weeks without food, severe diarrhea, physical weakness, and balance problems while living in unheated conditions during freezing weather.
Police Response
Officers with the DuBois Police Department responded to the investigation, speaking directly with the defendant regarding the circumstances of her daughter's death and later testifying during court proceedings about the environmental conditions inside the residence. Responding personnel observed the freezing temperatures inside the home, noting the presence of frost on the windows during their assessment of the property.
Investigation
The investigation into the child's death was conducted by local law enforcement and medical professionals, culminating in a criminal complaint and subsequent court hearings in Clearfield County. Investigators reviewed autopsy findings from the medical examiner, gathered statements from the defendant regarding the victim's declining health, and documented the state of the home's heating infrastructure and indoor climate.
Evidence Collected
- Autopsy results and medical examiner findings establishing pseudomembranous colitis as the cause of death.
- Statements provided by defendant Sarah Brubaker detailing the victim's lack of food intake and physical symptoms over a two-week period.
- Police observations and documentation of freezing indoor conditions and frost on the windows of the residence.
- Evidence concerning the status of the home's natural gas heating system and the use of heated blankets by adult residents.
Arrest Details
Sarah Brubaker was taken into custody by authorities in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. Jail and court documentation reflect that she was subsequently processed and appeared in court for proceedings connected to the criminal charges filed against her.
Charges Filed
- Third-degree murder: A felony criminal charge prosecuted when a homicide is committed with malice, though without specific premeditation or intent to kill.
- Involuntary manslaughter: A charge applicable when a death occurs as a result of a reckless or grossly negligent act rather than intentional lethal action.
- Endangering the welfare of a child: A charge leveled against a parent, guardian, or supervisor who knowingly acts in a manner that violates a legal duty of care or places a minor in circumstances that threaten their physical or mental health.
Court Information
The legal proceedings are taking place within the Clearfield County court system in Pennsylvania. Following a preliminary hearing where a judge ruled that the prosecution presented sufficient evidence, the case was advanced toward trial. Court records show that Sarah Brubaker is scheduled to appear for a formal arraignment on Nov. 18.
Statements from Authorities
According to court testimony and local reporting from west-central NBC affiliate WJAC, officers with the DuBois Police Department stated that the family home featured freezing conditions with frost on the windows, despite a functional natural gas well on the property that had been turned off.
Public Safety Information
Communities across the United States have established resources to assist families facing distress, medical emergencies, and child welfare concerns. Anyone who suspects a child is experiencing abuse, neglect, or unsafe living conditions should immediately contact local law enforcement or child protective services. For immediate emergencies, dial 911. Individuals seeking guidance or support for domestic or family safety concerns can also contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
What Happens Next
Following the preliminary hearing where a judge found sufficient cause to move the case forward, the defendant will proceed to a formal arraignment where charges are formally read and a plea is typically entered. From there, the case will progress through pretrial conferences, discovery motions, and ultimately trial proceedings in the Court of Common Pleas unless resolved through a negotiated plea agreement.
