Judge to decide jail or house arrest for New Kensington man convicted of neglect of mother's corpse
A Westmoreland County, Pa, judge on Tuesday said he can’t decide whether to send a New Kensington man to jail for neglecting to report to authorities that his mother died and left her sealed up alone in her home for two months. Robert Hawk, 49, through his defense lawyer asked to be confined to his own home as punishment for his offenses. His siblings demanded their brother serve time behind bars.
Police said Hawk discovered his 68-year-old mother, Marcia Smock, died in June 2019 and her left her body alone with various animals for months. Investigators said Hawk used duct tape to seal up the door frame and air vents in the bedroom of the Victoria Avenue house where her body was eventually found, failed to report her death and used her Social Security benefits for his own gain. Police found Smock’s decomposed body, nearly a dozen malnourished cats and a dead dog and cat in August 2019. Police concluded Smock died of natural causes. Hawk was not charged in connection with her death.
Assistant Public Defender Greg Cecchetti said Hawk suffers from a variety of physical ailments including sleep apnea, depression, high blood pressure and a recently suffered a stroke that limits his mobility. Cecchetti said Hawk’s health would be endangered by a jail sentence. Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears said he initially intended to impose a jail sentence but is now concerned how confinement could impact Hawk’s health.
The judge delayed Tuesday’s sentencing hearing and ordered county probation officials to conduct an investigation into potential punishment options for Hawk. Those options include jail time, house arrest and other requirements such as community service, according to the judge.
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/judge-to-decide-jail-or-house-arrest-for-new-kensington-man-convicted-of-neglect-of-mothers-corpse/
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