Judge drops several charges against mother of missing twins

A judge has dismissed several criminal counts against a Penn Hills mother whose twins went missing more than a decade ago, finding that prosecutors did not present enough evidence to pursue charges of obstruction, concealment and endangerment.

In a 13-page opinion and order issued Wednesday, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Thomas E. Flaherty also criticized the county’s Office of Children, Youth and Families for not conducting follow-up contacts with Patricia Fowler for the past decade.

Judge Flaherty granted a petition filed on behalf of Ms. Fowler, 48, to dismiss charges of obstruction of justice, two counts of concealing the whereabouts of a child and endangering welfare of children in connection with missing twins Ivon and Inisha Fowler, who would be about 18 now.

The judge wrote that prosecutors had not established the basic evidence needed to pursue those charges, but he allowed a count of unsworn falsification to authorities to remain. Defense attorney Aaron Sontz did not challenge another pending charge of conspiracy.

In addition, a separate criminal case is pending against Ms. Fowler for receiving welfare benefits for the twins. Mr. Sontz is also representing Ms. Fowler in that case.

Mike Manko, spokesman for the county district attorney’s office, said Thursday that prosecutors were reviewing the judge’s decision.

The DA’s office has two options: It can refile the charges with new evidence or it can appeal to state Superior Court.

Ms. Fowler’s twins have not been seen for more than a decade. Authorities have accused Ms. Fowler of telling several different stories about what happened to SEE FOWLER, PAGE A-2