ALIQUIPPA, Pa. – A judge has dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against a Pennsylvania man whose two toddler daughters died when a dresser crashed down onto them.
Twenty-eight-year-old David Beatty Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, must still stand trial on child endangerment charges.
Police say they discovered deplorable conditions inside the home when they investigated the July 4 deaths of 2-year-old Brooklyn and 3-year-old Ryeley.
Beatty was in the bathroom when the dresser fell down on the girls, and he remained there for about 10 minutes afterward.
Beaver County prosecutors had argued that he 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.
Defense attorney Kevin Kindred says Beatty didn't consciously disregard a dangerous situation, as the law requires. Prosecutors may appeal Wednesday's ruling.
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