Preliminary hearings were continued yesterday for a Tyrone man and woman facing child endangerment charges.
After an investigation that involved several agencies, Adam L. and Andora Gardner were charged in a child endangerment case that stemmed from a complaint regarding several animals and reptiles at a duplex in Tyrone.
Tyrone Borough Police went to the address at 326 W. 15th Street after being contacted by Borough code enforcement officer Tom Lang on Oct. 19.
A criminal complaint filed against Adam L. and Andora K. Gardner said police went there to assist Lang regarding code violations on one side of the duplex.
Police said the Gardners have two children ages eight and five. According to the criminal complaint, officer Jessica Barlick spoke with a Children and Youth Services worker who told her the children reside at the side of the duplex that was investigated. Police said the Gardners had previously been advised to clean up the residence by CYS.
Lang determined the residence was found to be “unfit for human occupancy.” He condemned the residence on Oct. 20. The Gardners were told they could no longer occupy it. Lang said the Gardners were allowed to go into the property to remove their belongings but could not use it for living purposes such as staying overnight to sleep, etc.
Lang said the condemnation came about because of the “sanitary conditions” or lack thereof at the residence. He said the owner of the building, Dennis Fink, was issued the condemnation notice. It is the owner that is responsible for bringing the structure back into compliance. This morning, Lang told The Daily Herald that Fink is continuing to work on bringing the property into compliance.
Lang confirmed he had investigated a previous problem at the residence. Andora Gardner had complained about a water leak in the bathroom. Lang said he informed the landlord. He also indicated he never heard anything further about the matter.
In addition to the child endangerment charges, Andora Gardner was also issued summary offenses regarding violations concerning the animals.
Adam Gardner’s case was continued because he had not secured an attorney. Magisterial District Judge Fred Miller decided to continue Andora Gardner’s case so both could be heard at the same time. Andora Gardner had secured a public defender according to Miller.
Adam Gardner was detained Tuesday at a holding area at the district judge’s office regarding outstanding issues before Judge Miller and in Somerset County. During the brief court proceeding, Miller said Gardner would need to work those issues out before being released. He also said a determination had to be made regarding how Somerset County officials wanted to proceed.
Judge Miller was unavailable for comment this morning regarding Gardner’s status.
The new hearing date for both of the Gardners is now set for Dec. 13 at 10:30 a.m.
