Child abuse case set to open today
Jury selection continued Monday afternoon past the usual Washington County Courthouse closing time of 4:30 p.m. in the trial of a New Eagle mother accused of imprisoning and starving her 6-year-old fraternal twins in their home last year.
Monongahela police were called to the home of Roxanne N. Taylor, 26, of Seventh Avenue, March 28, 2012, after a neighbor found her son walking along a road on a chilly morning.
The boy, who weighed just 30 pounds, and his twin had been locked in their bedroom. He escaped through a window.
When police entered the home, they found insects and feces, a situation that triggered Washington County Judge John DiSalle to criticize the state Department of Public Welfare because it gave the county Children and Youth Services agency a positive evaluation even though CYS had opened and closed the case several times.
The children’s father, Edward Buckholz, 34, after pleading guilty late last month to two counts of felony aggravated assault, is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 20. Both are being held in the county jail.
Opening statements in Taylor’s case are scheduled for Tuesday before Judge Katherine B. Emery in Courtroom No. 2. Charges against her include recklessly endangering other persons, aggravated assault, simple assault, unlawful restraint and endangering the welfare of children.