Burkholder plea hearing continued due to absence
A plea hearing was continued Tuesday for a North Union Township woman who faces charges in connection with her daughter’s death.
Attorney Diane Zerega said she was unable to reach her client, Jessica Burkholder, at the phone number available to her and only has a post office box as an address for the woman.
Instead of issuing a bench warrant for Burkholder’s arrest, Assistant District Attorney Mark Mehalov agreed to continue the hearing until Thursday at 9:30 a.m.
“She did appear every time we requested her to appear,” Mehalov said.
Burkholder had agreed to testify against her husband, Domer Burkholder, who ended up pleading guilty to third degree murder and endangering the welfare of children in exchange for 20 to 40 years in prison.
The two were charged in connection with the Nov. 15, 2013, death of 20-month-old Caylee Jo Burkholder, who was punched in the abdomen, resulting in internal bleeding.
Jessica Burkholder faces one count of child endangerment.
“She was here last month prepared to be sentenced, but there were questions about the house arrest,” Zerega said. “She was prepared to accept the plea bargain.”