ASHLAND — An Ashland woman is facing a felony child endangerment charge after Pennsylvania State Police say she threw a metal lawn chair that struck her three-year-old child during a domestic disturbance early Tuesday.
Krysta Lynn Welna, 21, was charged , with one felony count of endangering the welfare of children and misdemeanor counts of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person.
State Police Describe Walnut Street Incident
According to an affidavit filed by the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville, troopers received a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence on Walnut Street in Ashland at approximately 5:18 a.m. November 3. Troopers arrived at approximately 5:32 a.m.
Police said the father of Welna’s children told troopers he had been involved in a verbal argument with her and that she was in the basement, where he had been unable to wake her.
Troopers found Welna sleeping facedown on a mattress, according to the affidavit. Police allege she became verbally hostile when awakened.
During the encounter, troopers observed two young children wearing only diapers crawling on the floor among broken items that police attributed to the adults’ dispute, the affidavit states.
Police allege Welna then picked up a metal lawn chair and threw it, striking her three-year-old child. Troopers took Welna into custody, at which point she allegedly threatened to kill both officers.
The affidavit does not describe the extent of any injuries to the child or indicate whether medical treatment was required.
Welna was transported to the Frackville state police station. According to the affidavit, she asked about her phone and told troopers it was more important to her than her children at that point.
Welna Held in Schuylkill County Prison on $100,000 Bail
Court records list a preliminary arraignment before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker on November 3, with monetary bail set at $100,000.
According to the docket dated November 4, Welna was being held in Schuylkill County Prison after being unable to post bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli.
The charges are allegations. Welna is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.