×

Pair face child endangerment charges

Children called for help when duo were found unresponsive

Two city residents face child endangerment charges after children in the home called a family member for help when the adults became unresponsive.

Rose Mary Markle, 29, and Colton William Flannery, 30, were arraigned Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Daniel C. DeAntonio. Each faces a felony charge of endangering the welfare of children, along with two misdemeanor charges of endangering the welfare of children. Unable to post 10% of 15,000 bail, Markle was remanded to the Blair County Prison. Flannery was released on unsecured $15,000 bail.

Their preliminary hearings are set for July 5 before DeAntonio.

According to the affidavits in the case, Altoona police were dispatched at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday to a home on the 200 block of Willow Avenue for an unresponsive female.

Police found Markle on the floor of the home. A witness said Markle was given two 4 mg doses of Narcan, however she was not responsive. Police felt a faint pulse on Markle and started sternum rubs. She then became conscious but was not alert and was unable to answer basic questions.

At that point, police heard multiple children screaming from the staircase and saw two juvenile females crying hysterically for their mom, court documents state. The oldest juvenile was holding a 1-year-old girl, police reported.

In addition, police saw Flannery, who appeared to be sweating and pale in color.

Police spoke to a witness who said the children called her for help when Markle would not wake up. When the witness entered the home, she found Markle on the floor and Flannery walking around. A second witness said Narcan was administered to Markle with little results.

While AMED was treating Markle, police overheard her saying she had used heroin. When police talked to her in the ambulance, Markle confirmed that information, the report states.

Police were able to interview the two juveniles — ages 12 and 10 — who said Markle and Flannery were having a discussion in which Markle was crying and told the juveniles to go upstairs. When Markle stopped crying, the 12-year-old went downstairs, saw Markle on top of Flannery and both were unresponsive. The girl screamed and the 10-year-old went downstairs where the two of them started to slap Markle and Flannery in an attempt to get them to wake up. They then began to pour water on them and after 10 to 15 minutes, Flannery woke up but continued to fall asleep, the juveniles said.

He was placed in a chair while the children continued to wake up Markle. After about 30 minutes, they called the family member. Blair County 911 was then called when Markle did not respond to Narcan.

A witness said Flannery tried to run off when she called 911, but when she told dispatch he was trying to flee, he stayed in the residence.

During an interview with police, Flannery said he had taken two Xanax bars about 5 p.m. The officer who interviewed Flannery said he failed to provide any information or story that made sense.

Starting at $2.99/week.

Subscribe Today