Upper Southampton Babysitter Charged In Child's Death

UPPER SOUTHAMPTON, PA — An Upper Southampton woman who authorities said operated an illegal in-home daycare is facing charges in connection with the death of a Warrington baby, who died in August after she was found unresponsive in her car seat.

Lauren Landgrebe, 48, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of involuntary manslaughter, endangering the welfare of a child, operating a facility without a license, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and tampering with evidence.

The 11-month-old baby died on Aug. 27 after she was found unresponsive in her car seat. She passed away at the hospital less than two hours later.

The baby died from asphyxiation by strangulation after being placed incorrectly in a car seat and left unattended for about two hours, according to information from the Bucks County District Attorney.

Landgrebe’s husband called 911 just after 4 p.m. the day of the baby's death after finding the child unresponsive and partially strapped in a car seat on the dining room table, an affidavit of probable cause said. The Tri-Hampton Rescue Squad rushed the child to Abington Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 5:15 p.m.

Detectives determined Landgrebe put the baby in the car seat at 1 p.m. for a nap but the child was "fussy." At 2 p.m., Landgrebe gave the baby a bottle, propping it up on a rolled hand towel and leaving the room. She then went out to her backyard swimming pool, where she spent the next two hours outside, the affidavit said.

She did not return to check on the child until 4 p.m., after she was unconscious, the affidavit said.

Detectives obtained a photo that Landgrebe took of the napping baby sometime after 2 p.m. The photo showed the child "slumped low" in the car seat with the chest strap around her neck. The car seat's leg straps, which would have prevented the baby from sliding down in the seat, were not engaged, the affidavit said.

Landgrebe operated an illegal daycare out of her home on Rosebud Road, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. She admitted to authorities that she provided care for up to eight children at a time, a Sept. 4 cease and desist letter from that agency said.

According to the letter, Landgrebe did not have a certificate of occupancy from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry to operate the day care. Authorities identified other high-risk items on her property, including toxic substances and a swimming pool accessible to children.

During the investigation, detectives found Landgrebe had been collecting Social Security Disability payments for about 10 years, claiming in filings that she was unable to work. She did not report any income from the daycare business, officials said.

Landgrebe's preliminary hearing is tentatively set for Dec. 12.