Mom Arrested After 4 Dead Babies Were Found Had Other Children — and Neighbor Didn't Know Suspect Was Pregnant By Christina Coulter

Police say a Pennsylvania woman gave birth in secret and concealed four babies’ bodies — while neighbors who often cared for her young sons say they had no idea she was ever pregnant.

The remains were found Sept. 13 in a Cadogan Township house where 39-year-old Jessica Mauthe had recently been evicted. One infant was discovered in a bedroom closet — the others were in the attic, stored in bags, according to court documents cited by CBS News Pittsburgh.

Carmen Felix, who lived nearby and frequently watched the boys, said the neighborhood is still reeling. “It’s just evil. It’s beyond sick,” he told CBS. “It’s a close-knit community. Everybody watches out for each other. Them two boys of hers, the whole neighborhood babysat them.” Felix added that he had no idea she was pregnant.

Felix also questioned how the deaths could have happened. “How could she do that, three times? You don’t just plop babies in toilets,” he said. “The whole neighborhood is in shock.”

According to a criminal complaint reviewed by CBS, Mauthe told police she gave birth to one baby about a year ago while sitting on the toilet. She said the baby remained in the toilet for several minutes while making noises, then she wrapped it in towels “until it stopped making noises” and put it in a closet.

Mauthe also admitted she once gave birth, heard the infant whimpering, and passed out. She told investigators that when she woke up the child was dead. In another instance, she said she wrapped a baby in a towel and held it until it stopped breathing, before hiding the body, police said, according to CBS Pittsburgh.

Police said she admitted to giving birth to at least two more babies while living at the house and placing their bodies in the attic. Autopsies were performed Sunday, and investigators are awaiting reports from the medical examiner’s office.

Elizabeth Germy, a Ford City resident, said she was horrified by what was found.

“Very sick. Very disgusted. Sad for the two that are left behind, the living children. No words,” she told CBS.

Germy also described a smell inside the house. “It didn’t have a very potent smell when we first went in, but upstairs in the one specific bedroom, it did smell funny,” she said.

Germy explained she had been in the home helping the landlord search for cats left behind after the eviction.

Another neighbor said Mauthe had little support but that residents tried to help.

“Her support system was minimal, and I think she loved her boys,” the neighbor said. “Giving them structure. They needed structure. They needed love. They needed hugs. If they needed to eat, we fed them. And we did that.”

State police said they will seek warrants for Mauthe’s medical records and plan to interview her friends, co-workers, and her incarcerated husband, per CBS.

Mauthe is charged with one count of criminal homicide and one count of involuntary manslaughter. She also faces four counts each of concealing the death of a child and abuse of a corpse. CBS reported that earlier counts were withdrawn and replaced with the new filing last week, and that more charges are expected. She is being held without bail.

PEOPLE previously reported that after Mauthe’s eviction for non-payment, her landlord entered the home, noticed a foul odor, and found one of the infants. Authorities later discovered additional remains in the attic. Mauthe had inherited the house after her father’s death, and her husband is incarcerated.