Two Bridgeville residents arrested for child endangerment earlier this month had their charges upgraded to felonies at a preliminary hearing, Bridgeville police chief Chad King told council on Monday.
After the hearing earlier this week, Bree Reitmeyer, 34, and Marcus Stancik 30, were released on their own recognizance.
“So, they are back out, but the charges were held and upgraded to felonies,” the chief said.
The woman and her boyfriend were arrested after police responded to a report of a child locked out of his home on a 20-degrees Fahrenheit day in February. They were also charged with cruelty to animals.
Here’s the full police account of the incident:
CHILD ENDANGERMENT, ANIMAL CRUELTY:
Recently, The media has picked up a story regarding animal cruelty in Bridgeville. There is more to the story, here are the facts:On February 9, 2017 Bridgeville officers responded to 146 Liberty St. for the report of an 11-year-old child locked out of his residence. The child had been outside for approximately 20 minutes in 20° weather. The child reported to officers that he tried banging on the door with a shovel to get the attention of his mother’s boyfriend who was inside. Officers are familiar with the occupants of this residence and they are known drug users.
The officers, fearing a possible drug overdose, made entry into the house where they were met by Marcus Stancik (30 y/o). Stancik was found to be in possession of heroin paraphernalia and told officers he just “shot up” approximately one hour earlier and was visibly under the influence of Heroin.
The childs mother, Bree Reitmeyer (34 y/o) was nowhere to be found.
The child was taken into protective custody by the police officers. The child’s 16-year-old sister was also, later, taken into protective custody per an order from Children Youth Services.While officers were in the residence they discovered two badly emaciated Pit Bulls, along with four cats. The house was in deplorable condition, did not appear to have running water, animal feces throughout the residence, And the toilet did not appear to be working. There was no food in the residence, only a pack of spoiled chicken in the refrigerator.
Officers return to the residence later that night and again encountered Stancik, who was now in possession of Crack Cocaine paraphernalia.
Charges filed on Marcus Stancik: Aggravated Assault (1 count). Endangering the Welfare of a Child (2counts). Cruelty to Animals (6 counts). Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
Charges filed on Bree Reitmeyer: Endangering the Welfare of Children (2counts). Cruelty to Animals (6 counts).
Arrest Warrants were obtained. Reitmeyer and Stancik. They turned themselves in on March 3, 2017. Both are currently in the Allegheny County Jail. Stancik on $30,000 bond and Reitmeyer on $5000 bond. Both are awaiting preliminary hearings.
The residence has been condemned.