A 911 dispatch call sheds a few new details on a horrifying incident that left two Pennsylvania children dead, although officials still have not released the children’s cause/manner of death.
The call revealed a 911 dispatcher informing an officer en route to 2442 Route 143 in Albany Township, that two children were hanging inside the basement of the residence.
“Cardiac arrest, pediatrics,” a female officer said over dispatch.
Lisa R. Snyder apparently called 911 after finding her children, Conner, 8, and Brinley, 4, hanging from a dog leash line. Snyder said her son had threatened suicide in the past and was a victim of bullying, according to the 911 dispatcher.
“She mentioned that the 8-year-old has been bullied and has made threats of doing this, but didn’t want to go alone,” the dispatcher said. “At this time, it should just be the mother and the two children on the scene.”
Snyder made the 911 call on September 23 at around 4:33 p.m. She was home alone with the children when she made the call.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities found the children unconscious inside the residence. Both children were rushed to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest but were pronounced dead four days later, and only minutes apart.
Investigators confirmed that the children were found hanging from the opposite ends of a plastic-covered dog leash line that someone had wrapped around the basement’s main support beam. Both children had the leash line wrapped around their necks, Reading Eagle reports.
Authorities found two dining room table chairs in the basement. Both chairs were tipped over around three feet away from each other.
Earlier this month, authorities seized numerous items from the family home, including Conner’s Xbox. The boy’s mother told police that he frequently used the Xbox to play video games and to go online. Authorities also seized two iPads and a laptop.
“The eight-year-old victim is known to play video games and view various internet websites utilizing the X-Box gaming console,” the warrant read.
Investigators later carried out another search warrant and reportedly determined that Snyder had two additional cellphones that they were not aware of.
Authorities learned about the cellphones after an interview with Snyder’s oldest son, 17-year-old Owen Snyder, according to The Morning Call. Further, authorities noted that the 911 call was not placed from the first cellphone police seized from the mother.
“Normally, people only have one cellphone and now we have three,” Berks County District Attorney John Adams said.
The incident is currently being treated as a “criminal homicide,” according to Adams, who said that doesn’t necessarily mean that the case will end up as a homicide. Authorities are waiting on the Lehigh County coroner’s office to give an official cause/manner of death.
Family Dog Still Not Found
Investigators are still searching for the family dog, described as a medium-sized Husky and Pit Bull mix who weighs around 50 pounds. Lisa Snyder reportedly told police that the dog mostly stayed outside in the backyard while on a dog lead line. However, the dog has since been given away, the family told police.
“By determining the dogs (sic) actual weight and sized (sic) utilizing a scale will assist in the criminal investigation,” Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ian Keck wrote in the warrant, according to 69 Newes.
“All of this is important to the criminal investigation and reconstruction of the events surrounding this incident.”
Children and Youth Services
Prior to their deaths, the children were under the observation of social services. “Assessment and ongoing case management services were provided to Connor and Brinley Snyder through Berks County Children and Youth Services,” according to a spokesperson from the state’s Department of Human Services.
The details on why the children were known to CYS remain unclear.
Adams previously said that if he could talk to the public about the case, he would squash rumors that have been circulating on social media, but he didn’t explain further. So far, no arrests have been made.
Anyone with any information about the case is urged to call the Berks County District Attorney’s Office at 610-478-6000 or the state police at 610-562-6885.
The story is developing. Check back for further updates.
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[Feature Photo: Conner Snyder and Brinley Snyder/Facebook]
