Abington Township Police Department Photo by James Short.
Abington Township Police arrested the mother on multiple child endangerment charges.
Abington Township Police Department recently responded to a call about a fight but found more than they imagined when a mother was attempting to nurse a child prior to passing out, according to reports.
On Oct. 8 around 2:38 a.m., police responded to the 1700 block of Prospect Avenue in Abington for the report of a physical domestic in progress but arrived to find much more. Police said that contact was made with Laura Beth Jodry, 41, of the 2300 block of Edwards Road, in Roslyn, when the entered the Prospect Street home. Jodry was with her seven-month-old daughter, though appeared to be under the influence of a controlled substance, reports stated.
Jodry claimed to police, according to reports, that she was in an altercation with a man in the home. However, police said that, upon speaking with the man, the following was explained.
The man said, according to police reports, that the woman showed up to his residence “visibly under the influence of a drug” and went upstairs to his bed. There, police said, the man said Jodry was nursing the baby when he heard “gurgling sounds” and observed her passed out while “lying on top of the baby restricting the baby’s ability to breathe.” Police reported that when the man woke Jodry, the baby gasped for air.
Police found a small clear, resealable plastic bag with a granular white powder consistent in appearance and packaging with crystal methamphetamines in Jodry’s possession, according to reports. Additionally, police said, they found a small clear, plastic bag containing a small amount of raw marijuana in her pocket.
Jodry is facing a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children, as a parent, as well as misdemeanor charges of recklessly endangering another person, intent to possess a controlled substance, and a small amount of marijuana for personal use. She was released on a Bond Signature and is due in court on Oct. 31 at 10 a.m. before Magisterial District Judge John D. Kessler for a preliminary hearing.
All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.
