By SANDRA K. REABUCK
EBENSBURG — The Johnstown area mother charged with third-degree murder in the death of her newborn daughter is to be examined by a Somerset psychiatrist at the request of prosecutors.
Jennifer McKendree, 34, of Upper Yoder Township, is accused of placing her newborn in a plastic bag after giving birth April 11, 2006, in a bathroom at her parents’ home in Johnstown’s Moxham section.
McKendree’s mother found the dead baby the next day in the bag, which was hidden beneath a basement laundry table.
In addition to third-degree murder, McKendree is charged with concealing the death of child, child endangerment, reckless endangerment and abuse of a corpse.
Assistant District Attorney Tamara Bernstein said in a motion seeking the examination that McKendree, who began counseling after her arrest, already has been evaluated by Dr. Burton Singerman of Pittsburgh.
Singerman’s evaluation apparently was done as part of the defense in preparation for trial.
The mother’s mental condition at the time of the baby’s birth is expected to be brought out at trial.
Prosecutors want a second evaluation in order to prepare for the upcoming trial, Bernstein said.
Judge Gerard Long issued an order July 18 directing that defense attorneys make arrangements for the second evaluation by Aug. 10 with Dr. Glenn Kashurba of Somerset.
McKendree’s trial is scheduled for October. Her attorneys have said her current pregnancy is not expected to affect the trial date.
She and her husband, Michael, are expecting a child in late September, defense attorney Robert Davis Gleason has said.
