CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Pa. — Two Cumberland County residents were charged with endangering the welfare of children on Tuesday following an ongoing investigation, according to the Newville Police Department.
On Jan. 10, Newville Police arrested Travis Laughtner, 32, and Taryn Laughtner, 29, from Newville for endangering the welfare of their children as well as harboring loose and dangerous dogs.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, several reports from concerned citizens alleged the Laughtner's six children were left alone throughout the day and night. The oldest child is 11 years old.
On Dec. 17, Newville police responded to the home for a report of children on the roof.
An officer knocked on the Laughtner's door and was greeted by one of their children, who told the officer her parents were at work.
An interview with a witness alleged that this is an ongoing issue and that children are always home alone.
The officer got in touch with Travis and Taryn and believed that they were on the same page about leaving the children supervised. Travis also reportedly told the officer that he had screwed the windows shut so that the children could no longer get on the roof.
Following this incident, Newville police allegedly continued to receive calls that the children were home alone.
On Jan. 7, police were dispatched for a welfare check on five of the children. The children were located walking back from the Family Dollar near the Newville Post Office.
According to the affidavit, the children told police that Travis and Taryn were working and that they went to get some candy and snacks. The 11-year-old child was in charge of the four other siblings, the youngest being 4 years old.
The 4-year-old child did not have shoes on and the temperature was reportedly in the high 30s.
Following repeated attempts to contact the parents, Travis eventually met with officers and allegedly told them that his 11-year-old was mature enough to watch the other siblings. He also allegedly told police that he sees "no issue" with them walking to Family Dollar by themselves.
Taryn responded similarly, allegedly saying she was okay with the children doing these things and staying home alone.
On Jan. 9, Newville police responded to the Laughtner's address again for loose dogs and found the children home alone once again.
The Laughtner's were also charged with several summary offenses involving two dogs. Police took custody of the dogs, who were taken to a shelter and will be rehomed after finishing their quarantine.
The Laughtner's were both charged with five counts of endangering the welfare of children.
