Lewisburg Mother Charged With Felony Child Endangerment, Ignored CYS Warnings

Brianna Lynn Kessler, 30, of Lewisburg, was charged with a felony count of endangering the welfare of children after Buffalo Valley Regional Police Detective Gary V. Heckman determined she repeatedly left her 12-year-old daughter unsupervised in defiance of Union County Children and Youth Services directives, then blocked the girl's access to her father, her CYS caseworker, a general crisis line, and the national suicide hotline.

The case began with a ChildLine referral received January 17. Heckman met with Union County CYS on January 23, where a caseworker detailed the agency's prior history with the family. CYS had first documented concerns in October, conducting a home visit on October 29 and telling Kessler directly that her daughter should not be left unsupervised because of the girl's history of self-harm. Court documents note the child had previously received treatment at an inpatient facility.

At the October visit, Kessler told the CYS caseworker that security cameras in the home and a neighbor who checked in provided adequate supervision, and that her daughter had a working cell phone. What police later alleged was a different picture: Kessler had disabled the phone after 9 p.m. to prevent outgoing calls and had blocked four specific contacts, including the girl's father, the CYS caseworker assigned to the family, and two crisis numbers.

CYS documented its warnings more than once. Despite that paper trail, prosecutors contend Kessler continued leaving the child alone. When police interviewed Kessler, she told them she had been struggling to secure childcare and had been working to improve the situation.

The charge was filed through the office of District Judge Jeffrey A. Rowe, who set bail at $10,000 unsecured. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 16 at Rowe's office.

To sustain the felony, prosecutors must prove Kessler knowingly or recklessly created a substantial risk to the child's health, safety, or welfare. Documented agency warnings typically carry significant weight in such cases, both in charging decisions and at bail. Because CYS maintained an active case with the family, the court is also expected to address protective arrangements and ongoing service referrals for the child as proceedings move forward.

Families in Union County dealing with a child in crisis can contact Union County Children and Youth Services directly for guidance and referrals. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available around the clock. Mandated reporters who suspect child abuse can file a report through the state ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313.