Police Reports

Incident #23-02044-Criminal Homicide      On March 7, 2023, at about 1847 hours, the Lycoming County Coroner’s Office was notified of an infant death at UPMC Williamsport Emergency Department. Additionally, an RN with the Labor and Delivery Department related that the incident began as an OB trauma arrest in the Williamsport Emergency Room Department.

CHEMARI TRUAX delivered a 23-week gestation infant at her residence 411 Fifth Ave. TRUAX explained that she had been feeling nauseated and as if she was going to have diarrhea so she went to the bathroom and subsequently delivered the infant on the bathroom floor of her home residence.

TRUAX said that the infant was breathing but did not believe the child would survive. TRUAX did not seek or summon medical assistance for the child.  TRUAX then cut the umbilical cord but did not clamp it. After approximately one hour of the infant continuing to breathe, TRUAX transported herself to UPMC Emergency Department.

Shortly after arriving at the Emergency Department, the infant went into cardiac arrest. Twenty minutes of resuscitative efforts were unsuccessful and the infant was pronounced deceased at 1623 hours.

It was further learned that in November of 2022, TRUAX had visited a clinic in the Harrisburg area to terminate the pregnancy.  This procedure was unsuccessful.  It was also learned that on 15 February 2023, TRUAX was seen at Geisinger Medical Center, Muncy Campus for abdominal pain. At that time, TRUAX was notified that she was still pregnant.

Also, during the visit to Geisinger Muncy, it was learned that TRUAX had tested positive for cocaine. UPMC Medical staff requested a urine sample from TRUAX on 07 March 2023 and inquired if she had been using cocaine on this date however, TRUAX did not provide a urine sample and immediately signed herself out against medical advice.

While conducting a search at TRUAX’s residence pursuant to a search warrant, officers located the umbilical cord cut from the baby upon its birth.  Based upon the circumstances surrounding this incident, CHEMARI TRUAX was arraigned on charges of Criminal Homicide and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.

TRUAX was arraigned before MDJ Frey and committed to Lycoming County Prison after being denied bail. 

Arrest Date:  Wednesday, March 8, 2023 – 4:00pm Charges: (18) 2502(C) Murder of the Third Degree (18) 4304 (a)(1) Endangering Welfare of Children Incident Type: Homicide Source:  Williamsport Bureau of Police

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://lycoming.crimewatchpa.com/williamsportpd/15317/arrests/truax-chemari-may-18-2502c-murder-third-degree-and-1-additional-charge

On 03/07/2023 at approximately 1402 hrs City of Bradford Police responded to a reported robbery at 246 East Main Street. Officer met with the victim an adult male who reported a man had just robbed him at knife point and took approximately $40.00 cash from him. The victim identified the perpetrator by a nickname of “Ghost”.

Reports then came in of a male matching the description running from East Avenue to High Street. City of Bradford Police converged on the male and took him into custody finding a steak knife on him and money that is believed to be that of the victim.

The defendant was identified as Walter Dennis and he was charged with Robbery, Theft, and related charges. Magistrate Richard Luther arraigned Dennis and bail was set at $200,000 cash bail. Dennis did not post bail and was remanded to McKean County Jail where he will await preliminary hearings. 

Arrest Date:  Tuesday, March 7, 2023 – 2:02pm Reference ID:  2023-03071402 Charges: CC 3701 A1 Robbery (F2) CC 3921 A Theft (M1) Incident Type: Robbery Source:  City of Bradford Police Department

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://mckean.crimewatchpa.com/bradfordpd/68048/arrests/dennis-walter-cc-3701-a1-robbery-f2-and-1-additional-charge?fbclid=IwAR00hiabFL0ZcWWhdhjnRdopN71tikhQwkAZ1LeTKEILhvs2oBqPBHaaWGc