DECATUR TOWNSHIP – A Philipsburg couple is facing charges following a child endangerment incident Sunday, July 16 in Decatur Township.
According to Clearfield-based state police, the couple was traveling at a high rate of speed along the Old Erie Pike around 1 a.m. Troopers observed their vehicle as it spun 180 degrees into a ditch.
Allegedly the couple—later identified as 31-year-old Ryan A. Smith and 28-year-old Jennifer E. Smith from Philipsburg—fled on foot, leaving a 5-year-old child unattended in the vehicle.
The vehicle was subsequently seized for execution of a search warrant, state police say, and online court documents indicate charges were filed through the Houtzdale magistrate’s office.
Ryan Smith has been charged with felony child endangerment and two summaries; Jennifer Smith has also been charged with felony child endangerment and 15 summaries.
Both have been housed in county jail awaiting a preliminary hearing, which is currently scheduled for July 26 during centralized court.