'The Child Would Still Be Alive': Lebanon County Couple Denied 6-Day-Old Infant Medical Care

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A Lebanon County couple was charged with two felonies this week after failing to get their six-day-old baby medical care before he died, court documents show.

Connie Deimler and Martin Deimler’s other child, a 2-year-old girl, was malnourished and suffering from a serious brain condition when she was brought to a hospital after her brother’s Dec. 12 death, said Pennsylvania State Police.

Connie, 37, and Martin, 35, were charged Thursday with two felony counts of child endangerment.

https://www.pennlive.com/crime/2026/04/lebanon-county-couple-failed-to-get-medical-help-for-baby-who-died-of-treatable-condition-police.html

According to court documents, troopers were called to a home on Webster School Road in East Hanover Township on Dec. 12, 2025 to assist emergency responders with a report of a deceased 6-day-old infant.

Investigators said the baby was born at home on Dec. 6 and had received no prenatal care, no medical assistance during birth and no post-birth medical care.

Police identified the child's parents as Martin Deimler, 35, and Connie Deimler, 37.

Connie told investigators she did not receive prenatal care because of her religious beliefs, the documents stated.

Police said the infant was cared for at home by family members and was later found unresponsive. After emergency responders observed no signs of life, the child was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the documents.

According to police, the infant’s death was later attributed to complications from neonatal hyperbilirubinemia and multiorgan dysfunction. Investigators said untreated hyperbilirubinemia can lead to permanent neonatal brain damage and death.

The coroner’s office said the child had not been taken for a checkup after birth and that the condition could have been easily treated, according to the documents. Authorities said the infant showed warning signs, including poor feeding, difficulty waking and visible jaundice.

“The child would still be alive if treated for the condition,” the coroner’s office said, according to the affidavit.

During the investigation, police learned the couple had another child, a 2-year-old girl, who was not at the residence at the time.

Investigators said photographs inside the home appeared to show possible physical abnormalities. When asked whether the girl had any medical issues, the parents responded, “no she is perfect,” according to the documents.

Lebanon County Children and Youth Services directed the parents to bring the child in for evaluation.

Officials said the evaluation described the girl as “an unvaccinated 2-year-old female with developmental delay, macrocephaly, failure to thrive, and growth stunting.”

A later pediatric neurosurgery evaluation found the child had communicating hydrocephalus and a worsening physical condition that required immediate surgery, according to the affidavit.

After surgery, police said hospital staff instructed Martin and Connie Deimler on how to manage the girl’s nutritional and medical needs. Investigators alleged the couple failed to follow those instructions, and the child was placed in the custody of Lebanon County Children and Youth Services on Dec. 29, 2025.

State police stated both children had medical conditions that could have been treated and said the parents’ refusal to seek care placed the children’s health and safety at risk over time.

'The child would still be alive': Couple charged after infant dies without medical care, police say

A Lebanon County couple faces charges after their 6-day-old son died from untreated medical conditions and their toddler daughter was found with serious untreated health issues, according to court documents.

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