PA Toddler Left Alone For A Day Dies, Parents Charged: Reports

LUZERNE COUNTY, PA — Two parents are facing charges after authorities said their 18-month-old daughter died when she was left alone and without food or water for more than 24 hours, according to police and multiple reports.

James Kasisky Jr., 26, and Valentina Varela-Luis, 25, were arraigned Monday in connection to the December death of their daughter Phoenix, who was found dead inside their Newport Township home in December, WNEP reported.

The pair is charged with involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and endangering the welfare of children, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

According to the criminal complaint obtained by The Times-Leader, the child was found dead on Dec. 23 after Varela-Luis called 911. Investigators said the little girl's eyes were sunken with black spots and her fingertips had already lost color, indicating she had been dead for an extended period, according to reports.

Investigators said the child was left alone in a hot room with no food or water and that no one had checked on her for 26 hours, the Times-Leader reported.

After interviewing the parents, both claimed they thought the other planned to check on her, WNEP reported.

Following their arraignment, Kasinsky and Varela-Luis were denied bail and taken to Luzerne County Correctional Facility, the station reported.

A preliminary hearing for Kasinky and Varela-Luis is scheduled for April 5.