ALTOONA — A new mother has been charged with smoking the powerful synthetic stimulant known as bath salts two days after she gave birth, while still in the maternity ward of a central Pennsylvania hospital.
Online court records don't list an attorney for 31-year-old Carla Murphy, of Altoona, who is charged with aggravated assault and various drug counts for allegedly stripping naked and fighting with staff at the Altoona Regional Hospital on June 17. She faces a preliminary hearing Aug. 8.
The Altoona Mirror reports hospital police had to be called to subdue Murphy after she stripped naked, rolled around on the shower floor, and couldn't answer questions from hospital staff.
Police later found the drugs in Murphy's personal effects and, later, at her home.
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Burglary suspect jailed in scissors attack
HERMITAGE — A 19-year-old western Pennsylvania man has been jailed on charges that he stabbed a woman in the head with scissors when she fought with him after he allegedly broke into her house.
Online court records don't list an attorney for Tyler Fennell, of Sharon, who allegedly entered the home in Hermitage about 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Police say the woman who lived there fought with Fennell and threw various objects at him in her garage during which he stabbed her. The woman has been admitted to Sharon Regional Hospital, where officials aren't releasing her condition.
Police say Fennell ran away, but was caught shortly after police received a report that he had stolen a golf cart at a nearby country club and tried to drive away.
The Herald of Sharon reports Fennell has been charged with attempted murder and other crimes.
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House arrest denied for convicted Pa. monsignor
PHILADELPHIA — A Philadelphia monsignor convicted of child endangerment for sending a priest suspected of abuse to a new parish will remain behind bars until he's sentenced.
Judge M. Teresa Sarmina agreed Thursday with prosecutors who say Monsignor William Lynn should be treated like any other felon and remain jailed until his sentencing hearing.
Lynn's attorneys say their client isn't a flight risk and argued for his release on house arrest. But prosecutors say other defendants in Lynn's situation wouldn't be accommodated the same way.
Sarmina did approve a defense request to move sentencing up from Aug. 13 to July 24. Lynn faces 3½ to seven years in prison.
Lynn was the first U.S. church official ever convicted for his handling of abuse complaints. His attorneys plan to appeal.
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1 of 2 covered bridges in Erie County to get roof
ALBION — One of Erie County's two remaining historic covered bridges will close on Monday so crews can install a new metal roof to better protect the structure from the weather.
The Erie Times-News reports The Harrington Bridge in Conneaut Township was built about 1870. It is the last of four covered bridges in the township, and one of only two remaining in the county in the state's northwestern corner.
The bridge will close Monday and the $45,000 project is expected to last through July 20.
The last major reconstruction project on the bridge occurred in 1962.
Some residents are concerned the new roof isn't true to the bridge's historical, all wooden design. But PennDOT officials say the new roof will help preserve the bridge longer.
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