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Mother charged with manslaughter of toddler

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Staff reports

EAST WATERFORD -- A 21-year-old woman is facing child endangerment and involuntary manslaughter charges after police said she neglected to take her sick toddler to the doctor.

Tori Marie Wetzler, of East Waterford, was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Wood Sunday on charges of endangering the welfare of children, involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, in May 2022, Wetzler's then-1 year old child developed a medical condition which required heavy oversight.

The report says Wetzler was administered education on how to care for the child and warning signs that the child should go to the emergency room, including diarrhea, vomiting and especially fevers.

According to the report, the child had fevers on multiple occasions and repeatedly missed appointments. On May 5, 2022, the case was reported to Juniata County Children and Youth Services.

The report states that multiple attempts were made to contact Wetzler between May 5 and 12.

On May 11, the report states that the toddler passed away of myocarditis, bronchopneumonia and urosepsis complicated by intracranial hemorrhage -- an ailment that the child's doctor said could have been prevented.

Wetzler is being held in Mifflin County Correctional Facility, unable to pay $150,000 bail. She is awaiting a preliminary hearing set for 9 a.m. March 9 before Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline Leister.

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