From staff reports
A Rimersburg couple waived preliminary hearings Tuesday on child endangerment charges in connection with a case in which police allegedly found their three young children living in “deplorable conditions.”
Linda Lois Bashline, 23, and Keith Emery Bashline, 26, are both charged with three counts each of endangering the welfare of children. Their cases will now move to the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas for more proceedings.
Court documents indicate that Southern Clarion County Regional Police Sgt. Nicole L. Peck was contacted by Clarion County Children and Youth Services at 1:45 p.m. Aug. 17 after arriving at the Bashlines’ Rimersburg home for a routine welfare visit.
Peck arrived and was advised by the CYS care worker of a 3-year-old child inside the home strapped in a child vehicle safety seat and propped up in front of the television.
While talking to the CYS worker, Peck observed a 5-year-old child playing outside the home. The child appeared “very dirty” in clothes covered in dirt, and the child’s hair allegedly was matted and clumpy.
Peck entered the home and found Linda Bashline inside. Peck alleges there was a strong offensive odor in the house.
Peck observed an “obviously overheated” 11-month-old child in a crib. Peck alleges the infant was very dirty and was wearing a “full” diaper, according to the court documents.
Peck continued through the house and found food crumbs and garbage on the floors and carpets throughout the house. There allegedly were no sheets or blankets on the children’s mattresses.
When the refrigerator was opened, Peck alleges gnats and flies flew out of the inside. Decaying food and liquids were also observed in the refrigerator.
Peck reported there was running water in the house but no hot water.
The Bashlines have faced similar charges before. In August 2016, they were sentenced to nine months of supervised adult probation and fined $1,252 after pleading guilty to one count of endangering the welfare of children.
And in February of this year, both Bashlines were charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of children. That case is also moving through the court system.
