A judge has dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against a man who was going to the bathroom when a dresser crashed onto his two toddler daughters.
Twenty-eight-year-olds David Beatty Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, must still stand trial later this year on child endangerment charges that police filed because of the allegedly deplorable condition of their home.
Police discovered that when they investigated the July 4 deaths of the girls, 2-year-old Brooklyn and 3-year-old Ryeley.
Beaver County prosecutors argued Beatty should have known that letting the girls play in and around the dresser was dangerous, and that he should have immediately investigated the crashing sound. Instead, Beatty remained in the bathroom for about 10 minutes.
Defense attorney Kevin Kindred argued that Beatty didn't consciously disregard a dangerous situation, as the law requires. Prosecutors may appeal Wednesday's ruling.
