Woman to stand trial on child endangerment charges
A South Union Township woman will stand trial for allegedly endangering the welfare of her 3-year-old daughter after the woman was found unconscious and under the influence of drugs at her home in October.
State police Trooper Eric Zona said Melissa Leigh Couch, 42, of 601 Surrey Hill Drive was charged before Magisterial District Judge Joseph M. George Jr. with endangering the welfare of children following the incident Oct. 13.
Couch waived the charge to Fayette County Court during a preliminary hearing before George on Wednesday.
According to Zona, police were called to Couch’s home by a case worker for Fayette County Children and Youth Services after the worker was supposed to meet Couch on Oct. 13 but could not gain access to the residence.
Zona said Couch was visible from outside the home, seated at the kitchen table and appearing to be asleep.
Zona said that police were unable to rouse Couch from outside the home despite banging on a door about 5 feet from her.
He also said that police saw Couch’s young daughter wandering about the home unattended.
After police gained entry into the residence, Zona said officers found Couch “extremely under the influence of narcotics.”
He said that a drug test revealed she was under the influence of multiple narcotics, including methadone.