CLEARFIELD – Four people appeared for preliminary hearings at the Clearfield County Jail this week in regard to an argument that allegedly placed two children in harm’s way.
The June 23 incident started when Tiffany Wilt agreed to lend money to the father of her children, Jason Stiles.
Wilt and her mother, Debra Wilt, along with Wanita Nixon went to Stiles’ home in Lawrence Township and gave him the money. In return, the Wilts requested to take the children to McDonald’s and to the park.
Court documents allege that Stiles, of Clearfield, insisted that the 7-year-old ride with him.
Nixon, of Grampian, was walking to the vehicle, holding the 7-year-old hand while speaking with the child about riding with Nixon and the Wilts, both of DuBois.
It is alleged that Stiles then came up behind Nixon and the child and grabbed the child around the waist.
A description of the event provided by police states that a fight ensued between Nixon and Stiles with the 7-year-old in between them. Stiles and Tiffany Wilt’s younger child, 2, was being held by Debra Wilt nearby.
Tiffany Wilt then got out of a car and attempting to pry the 7-year-old from Stiles and Nixon. Tiffany Wilt freed the child, but Stiles reportedly grabbed her again.
According to the court papers, “Witnesses to this altercation stated that [the child] was stating, ‘You’re hurting me, let me go.’”
Stiles then fell to the ground while holding the 7-year-old. The child suffered a minor scrape on her ankle.
During the course of the argument, another woman approached in an attempt to take the children out of the fight, but, police report, Debra Wilt held her fists up and told the woman to get away. Nixon then grabbed the woman who came to help by the neck.
The Wilts and Nixon all waived their right to a preliminary hearing, and their cases will be added to the trial list. Each is free on $5,000 unsecured bail.
Stiles’ hearing was continued for 30 days. He remains free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Each of the adults is charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person along with disorderly conduct and harassment.