By Dayo Ade Olusola|Crime News|August 7, 2025.
Authorities in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, have arrested a mother and her elderly mother following the discovery of four children living in what police described as “unimaginable” and unsafe conditions inside a rural Vandergrift home.
Heidi Lynn Beer, 35, and her 69-year-old mother, Leslie Ann Keller, are facing multiple charges of child endangerment after police uncovered a residence strewn with faeces, rotting food, and pools of urine during a welfare check prompted by an unrelated disturbance call.
Both women have been charged with five felony counts of endangering the welfare of children.
In addition, Beer is also facing five misdemeanour counts of recklessly endangering another person and one count of filing a false report.
The disturbing discovery was made on July 28 when Vandergrift Borough officers responded to a report of a domestic disturbance at Beer’s residence. Upon arrival, the police were struck by a noxious odour emanating from the property and quickly determined that something was gravely wrong.
Inside the home, officers were forced to step around piles of faeces, spoiled food, and stagnant urine across the floors. “The smell was overwhelming,” said one official involved in the investigation.
According to the affidavit obtained by local outlet WTAE, four children aged between 9 and 16 were found inside the filthy home. The oldest child reportedly told police their mother had been absent for days.
Officers noted that the home had no running water. The shower was unusable due to a broken spigot, and authorities observed signs indicating water hadn’t been available in the house for some time.
The children’s sleeping conditions were also dire. Instead of proper beds, police found deflated air mattresses in poor condition. Ceiling holes and other signs of structural disrepair were evident throughout the house.
Authorities later discovered that the children’s maternal grandmother, Keller, was fully aware of the unsanitary living conditions. Despite living just a mile away, she had reportedly refused to enter the home for months, describing it as “too gross.”
One child told police that when they ran out of water, they would take empty cat litter containers to Keller’s house and fill them up, as their own home had no functional water supply.
Police say Keller confirmed this account, admitting to knowing the children had no food or running water but failing to intervene or report the situation to child welfare authorities.
Keller allegedly blamed the children for not cleaning the home, attempting to scold the 16-year-old girl. A responding officer reportedly corrected her, saying, “It’s not the children’s responsibility to clean this absolute disgrace of a mess.”
Authorities also learned that Beer had been living with her boyfriend in Pittsburgh—nearly an hour away—while the children remained alone in hazardous conditions. According to statements provided to police, the boyfriend discouraged Beer from bringing her children.
The same boyfriend is alleged to have been abusive to the children, though specific charges regarding his behaviour have not been filed at this stage. Investigators are continuing to look into those claims.
Court records show that Beer is currently being held at the Westmoreland County Prison with a bond set at $20,000. A preliminary court hearing in her case is scheduled for August 12.
Keller, meanwhile, faces her legal proceedings. Her preliminary hearing is set for September 9. It is currently unclear whether she is in custody or released pending trial.
The four children have since been removed from the home and are now reportedly in the care of other relatives, according to local officials familiar with the case.
Child protection services have also launched an investigation to determine whether additional oversight failures contributed to the neglect.
Community members have expressed outrage and disbelief over the living conditions the children endured, with local advocates calling for tougher scrutiny and systemic reforms to prevent similar incidents.
Both Beer and Keller could face lengthy prison sentences if convicted, given the severity of the allegations and the vulnerable ages of the victims.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with further information about the family’s circumstances to come forward.
