7 day forecast
Woman accused of leaving baby in Wall woods is held for trial
Share with others:
A Wall woman who police said abandoned her infant daughter in the woods last week is bound for court on attempted homicide and other charges.
Jennifer Cutruzzula, 24, also has been charged with endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person. She remains in the Allegheny County Jail on $50,000 bond, according to court records. Officials have said she will likely be evaluated at a behavioral clinic.
Police said Ms. Cutruzzula left the 8-month-old girl on Feb. 27 on a muddy hillside in Wall with a bottle of milk at her side. A neighbor, who saw Ms. Cutruzzula place the baby there then return without her, went looking for the girl. She was found soaking wet and covered in mud, in a one-piece outfit, with her face and neck exposed, according to a police criminal complaint.
Ms. Cutruzzula told authorities she was having "family issues" with her mother and stepfather and that she needed "a fresh start," police wrote in the complaint.
The child was taken to UPMC Children's Hospital for evaluation and was released to the Allegheny County Office of Children, Youth and Families.
A formal arraignment is scheduled for April 24.
First Published March 8, 2013 7:54 am
