Sarah Brubaker, 36, faces third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and endangering the welfare of a child charges in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania. A judge ruled Friday that her case will proceed to trial following a preliminary hearing.
Brubaker's 4-year-old daughter was found "cold to the touch" on Dec. 20 at the family's home in DuBois. The child was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. An autopsy determined the girl died from pseudomembranous colitis, a bacterial infection causing advanced inflammation of the colon. The medical examiner ruled the death a homicide caused by neglect.
Police testimony at Friday's hearing indicated the family home had "freezing conditions" with frost on the windows. The heating system, powered by a free natural gas well on the property, was shut off but not broken. DuBois Police officers testified that Brubaker and the child's father slept with heated blankets while the child was in the cold home.
When questioned by police, Brubaker said her daughter had not eaten for at least two weeks and had been experiencing diarrhea, balance issues, and weakness. The child's father died later from complications connected to hypothermia.
Brubaker is scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 18 for formal arraignment.