Officials said it could take months to find out exactly how two young Pennsylvania children died inside their home last month, but recent reports indicated that the children had previously been in the county’s Children and Youth Services system.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities arrived at a home in Albany Township to find 8-year-old Conner Snyder and 4-year-old Brinley Snyder unconscious inside the residence on September 23. Both children were rushed to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest but were pronounced dead four days later, and only minutes apart.
The Pennsylvania State Police announced that the children died from “injuries sustained,” but at this time, little else is known. Authorities said the coroner’s preliminary results on the cause and manner of death were inconclusive on both children. Forensic testing is now scheduled, according to ABC 6.
“I think it’s going to take some time to get to the bottom of this,” Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said. “I can tell you the state police and my office are working diligently to come up with some answers to solve this unfortunate incident.”
The Morning Call reports that according to a spokesperson from the state’s Department of Human Services, “assessment and ongoing case management services were provided to Conner and Brinley Snyder through Berks County Children and Youth Services.”
The details on why the children were known to CYS remain unclear.
The Reading Eagle reports that a panel of experts will soon be delving into the case, which is a state requirement under “Act 33” in Pennsylvania, for children who pass away or nearly pass away. Act 33 is utilized when there is suspected child abuse or neglect, according to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.
Adams said that although the panel is a “tool in our toolbox,” there is still a lot of evidence to go through.
“It’s a real head-scratcher,” Adams said. “I wish I could say something about the case.”
Adams added that if he could talk about the case, it would be to squash rumors that have been circulating on social media, but he didn’t explain further. So far, no arrests have been made.
“We are not releasing anything, and I don’t think that’s going to change in the near future. I have not and I will not at this point use the term ‘criminal.’ I’m just saying it is an ongoing investigation.”
CBS Philly reports that attempts to speak to residents about the incident were unsuccessful. When the outlet attempted to speak with the children’s mother, a man reportedly answered the door and said she was not there.
The children lived with their mother. Their father was not involved in their lives, according to CBS Philly. The investigation is being treated as an isolated incident.
The story is developing. Check back for further updates.
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[Feature Photo: ConnerSnyder and Brinley Snyder/Facebook]
