Authorities continue to investigate an incident that left two Pennsylvania children dead. A fifth search warrant was issued earlier this month, which uncovered cellphones not previously reported.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, authorities arrived at an Albany Township home, off of 2442 Route 143, on September 23, to find 8-year-old Conner Snyder and 4-year-old Brinley Snyder 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.
According to investigators, 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.
Investigators found two dining room table chairs in the basement. Both chairs were tipped over around three feet away from each other.
The Morning Call reports that the children’s mother, Lisa Snyder, is the one who contacted 911 about the incident, at around 4:30 p.m.
Investigators learned about Snyder’s additional cellphones after an interview with her 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.
After the fifth search warrant was issued, investigators uncovered that Lisa Snyder did indeed have two additional cellphones that she allegedly didn’t report.
“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.
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.
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]
