District justice arraigns woman in child-endangerment case
Linda Lee Benedetto, 28, of Scottdale has been arraigned on a charge of endangering the welfare of children. Her live-in boyfriend already faces charges that he physically abused her 2-year-old daughter.
District Justice Mark Blair set Benedetto’s bond at 10 percent of $25,000 and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Dec. 23 at 1 p.m.
Benedetto lived with James Edward Lecorchick, 32, at two residences on South Mount Vernon Avenue during the summer and fall this year.
In November, Lecorchick waived his right to a preliminary hearing on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and endangering the welfare of children.
The case against him has been forwarded to county court.
Uniontown police alleged that Benedetto witnessed Lecorchick, on at least one occasion, strike 2-year-old Christina Benedetto, and that her two other children told her that Lecorchick pushed the girl, hit her and on one occasion twist her arm until they heard something break.
Fayette County Children and Youth Services workers contacted police from Uniontown Hospital, where doctors found bruises on her head, face, back, stomach, arms and legs. Doctors also discovered the girl had a month-old broken collarbone and a two-month-old broken leg, police said.