A Pennsylvania father who allegedly slept through a winter storm while his 2-year-old daughter was locked outside in freezing temperatures has avoided prison time. Joshua Ryan Kitner, 29, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child in Cumberland County, resulting in a sentence of two years of probation. The plea deal resolved charges stemming from an incident in which the toddler suffered severe frostbite to her hands and feet, with her toes reportedly turning 'frozen and purple, almost black in color.'
Background
The incident occurred on Steelstown Road in North Newton Township. According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, Kitner was the sole adult supervising his daughter. He told investigators that he woke up around 5 p.m. on Jan. 29 to find the girl outside the home. Kitner stated he believed the child had accidentally locked herself out while letting the family dog outside to relieve itself.
At the time of the incident, the girl was wearing only a T-shirt and a diaper. Local ABC affiliate WHTM reported that temperatures were in the teens and that the region had been hit by as much as a foot of snow. Kitner admitted to investigators that he had consumed eight or nine beers the night before and was hungover when he discovered his daughter outside.
The Investigation
Police reports describe a harrowing scene. Officers noted that when Kitner found his daughter, she was 'seated on her butt and dozing off.' She was cold, and her feet and toes showed signs of severe frostbite, appearing purple and nearly black. Paramedics transported the child to the hospital, where she spent approximately one week in the burn unit. Following her discharge, she required another month of follow-up medical appointments. The frostbite was most severe on her feet, nearly necessitating surgery.
Initially, Kitner faced two charges of aggravated assault of a child. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors dropped those more serious charges in exchange for his guilty plea to endangering the welfare of a child. The Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office did not immediately return a request for comment.
Key Takeaways
- Joshua Ryan Kitner, 29, pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of a child.
- Kitner was sentenced to two years of probation, avoiding jail time.
- The victim, a 2-year-old girl, suffered severe frostbite to her hands and feet.
- The child was locked outside for hours in freezing temperatures wearing only a T-shirt and diaper.
- Kitner admitted to being hungover from drinking eight or nine beers the previous night.
- Two other individuals were charged with obstructing the Children and Youth Services investigation.
What's Next
Kitner will serve two years of probation. The status of the two women charged with obstructing the Cumberland County Children and Youth Services investigation and failing to comply with a court order remains unclear. The long-term medical prognosis for the victim, particularly regarding potential surgery for her feet, is expected to be monitored during her recovery period. The plea deal highlights the legal complexities in child endangerment cases involving negligence rather than intent. While the physical consequences for the toddler were severe, the resolution suggests prosecutors weighed the father's guilty plea and probation against the original aggravated assault charges.