CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield woman has been accused of providing deplorable living conditions for two children.
Breanna R. Plubell, 32, has been charged by Clearfield Regional police with felony child endangerment, as well as misdemeanor child endangerment, intentional possession of a controlled substance and use/possession of drug paraphernalia.
Plubell waived her right to a preliminary hearing Wednesday during centralized court, sending her case to county court for further disposition. Her bail is $50,000, unsecured.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, police observed Plubell outside her Morrison Road residence around 3:30 p.m. Feb. 9. She was wanted by the county Sheriff’s office for failure to appear for court.
Police approached Plubell, who advised she was not aware of the warrant against her.
She was also questioned about the whereabouts of 27-year-old Tanner Alley, who was wanted for his failure to pay on numerous summary matters and by the state Department of Corrections for leaving a facility.
Police were aware that Alley was often harbored at Plubell’s residence.
Plubell claimed Alley hadn’t been around in weeks. She was advised of Alley’s warrants and that if she was in fact hindering his apprehension, she could face criminal charges herself.
Plubell confirmed that Alley was inside her residence, then granted police permission to look for him.
She confirmed her fiance, Daniel L. Brion, 36, was also inside with her two young children.
Plubell was then handcuffed and placed into the police vehicle.
Outside her residence, there were multiple items including a deep freezer and clothes washer. Dog feces was throughout the yard.
In the sun room area, there were multiple bags of trash, with scattered individual pieces of trash laying on top of them. “The trash gave off a rotten odor,” indicating it had been there for an extended period of time, police said.
Inside the residence, there were allegedly “several hazardous conditions that posed serious threats to human health and safety.”
The kitchen sink was full of dirty dishes. The trash can was “full and overflowing” and the “outside garbage” container next to it was also full.
There were clear baggies on the kitchen table allegedly containing a white crystal-like substance consistent with methamphetamine with a used home-made smoking device.
The refrigerator wasn’t functional but reportedly full of food and dirty, emitting a strong “sour odor” when it was opened. There was a functional mini-fridge next to it with a gallon of milk, slices of cheese, Mountain Dew, water and ketchup.
Police located an unloaded 30-30 Winchester long rifle behind the refrigerator and a plastic pellet gun in a cabinet. In another cabinet, there was a medium-sized clear bag of suspected methamphetamine and a home-made smoking device.
Clothes and trash were scattered on a couch and the floor, with the floor being barely visible and not visible at all in some spots. There was a vent duct without a cover and multiple toys were in it along with pieces of cardboard boxes.
“The hallway was filled with clothes to the point you couldn’t view” the floor, police said, and atop the washer and dryer were piles of clothes. “The air vent appeared to be constricted and full of clumps of dust.”
Two bedrooms were almost impassable due to the amount of items on the floor. In another room, there was visible water damage to the ceiling, with black mold growing on the ceiling and down the wall.
There was mold where the water had contacted the floor and several items near the floor had mold on them.
Police summoned Clearfield County Children, Youth & Family Services, and when caseworkers arrived on-scene, Brion was tested for drugs and showed positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine and fentanyl.
Because of the serious danger posed by these living conditions, the children were placed with another responsible adult. Lawrence Township Code Enforcement also responded and condemned the residence.
“Both Brion and Plubell share responsibility for the overall health, safety and well-being of the children residing at the residence,” police said, adding that the condition of the residence didn’t “get that way overnight” and “both bear the responsibility.”
The methamphetamine, which was seized from the residence, weighed approximately 10.5 grams, according to the affidavit.
Brion has also been charged with with felony child endangerment, as well as misdemeanor child endangerment, hindering apprehension, use/possession of drug paraphernalia (two counts) and intentional possession of a controlled substance.
Brion is currently scheduled for a preliminary hearing Feb. 28 during centralized court at the Copper Cork Event Center. Bail is set at $10,000, unsecured.
