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A Pennsylvania woman was jailed without bond on Tuesday, Sept. 23, after state police discovered the decomposing bodies of four infant children hidden throughout a home from which she was recently been evicted.

Authorities say Jessica Marie Mauthe, 39, birthed the children alive in her home over a six-year period, then allegedly killed them immediately after they were born, according to an arrest affidavit filed in Armstrong County obtained by USA TODAY.

The discovery took place when Mauthe's former landlord found the body of an infant in a closet while cleaning the home this month, according to Pennsylvania State Police.

The rental home is located in Cadogan Township, just over 35 miles northeast of Pittsburgh.

According to the complaint, Mauthe's landlord told troopers he evicted Mauthe from the home on Aug. 14 and changed the locks on Aug. 30.

A foul odor and something wrapped in towels decomposing

About a week later, on Sept. 13, the landlord was cleaning out a closet when he found a trash bag with a foul odor, along with something wrapped in towels that was decomposing, according to the arrest affidavit. He then contacted the authorities.

Troopers arrived and discovered the body of an infant wrapped in towels. Soon after, they found the bodies of three other infants in tote bags, also wrapped in towels and placed inside plastic bags in the attic.

Troopers reported Mauthe placed the baby inside several plastic bags, and put them in a bedroom closet upstairs.

3 more dead newborns found in the same Pennsylvania home

Mauthe also told troopers that six years ago, she gave birth to another child in the same bathroom. After she gave birth, she passed out on the floor, the affidavit continues. When she regained consciousness, the baby was beneath her and was not breathing. She then hid the newborn's body in a tote in the attic, according to the report from the troopers.

The affidavit did not detail the death of the fourth killing, but an autopsy completed by the Indiana County Coroner's Office showed there were four dead infants found in the home.

Mother charged with homicide

Troopers arrested Mauthe on charges including criminal homicide, involuntary manslaughter, concealing the death of a child, and abuse of a corpse.

According to police, Mauthe failed to disclose the infants' deaths, concealed their bodies by wrapping them in towels, placed them in plastic bags and totes, and hid them throughout the home.

Jail records show Mauthe was booked into the Armstrong County Jail on Sept. 18.

She remained jailed without bond on Tuesday, Sept. 23, awaiting a court hearing set for next week, a magistrate clerk told USA TODAY.

USA TODAY left a message with the Armstrong Public Defender's Office, listed in online records as representing Mauthe.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 4 newborns found dead, hidden throughout home. Mother charged with murder.

Reporting by Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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