Criminal Justice

The controller's report — published in mid-July — says the Guardian ad Litem program in Lehigh County lacks centralization, oversight and consistency in billing and compensation. That undermines "public trust in child welfare proceedings," he said.

The case against Matthew Wolfe relied heavily on the expert testimony of Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen, the former Lehigh Valley Health Network physician being sued for alleged medical child abuse misdiagnoses. With her credibility under scrutiny, prosecutors agreed to cut years off Wolf's sentence.

Tracy and Joshua Dechant, charged with attempting to starve their teen sons to death, have 60 days to find a defense lawyer, a judge said.

John Derwin Bradley of Schnecksville was sentenced Thursday for the 2023 murder of a North Catasauqua mother and daughter and the aggravated assault of a juvenile who was seriously injured in a car crash after Bradley fled the scene with her in the vehicle.

Officials said having Argon around helps keep passengers at ease and safe from potential danger, while also serving as an asset upon request for other area authorities.

State Police, municipal police officers and members of the Lehigh County Sheriff’s Office took part in virtual reality training at the Jane Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Service Center at Lehigh Carbon Community College on Wednesday.

City officials last week were not able to comment if other city employees were currently subjects of the investigation following the arrest of Zachary Cole-Borghi.

A Lehigh County judge will soon decide whether to throw out potentially key evidence in the prosecution of a former Parkland High School administrator.

Police say evidence of a shooting was at 11th and Church Streets, and three teenage males wearing dark clothing and black masks fled from the location.

Asa the horse, a beloved member of Bethlehem Mounted Unit, will hang up his horseshoes and step into the easy life at his final Bridles & Badges Open House event.

Kian Deater, 21, was sentenced by Lehigh County Judge James T. Anthony to serve 17 ½ to 39 years in state prison on felony charges of aggravated assault with attempt to cause serious bodily injury.

Former Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp was formally arraigned in a Northampton County court Thursday on charges of stealing from the borough, inching the case towards a trial.

Debra Biro, Melanie Heilman, Steve Lynch and Richard Morea face charges of harassment following a raucous Northampton County Republican Committee meeting involving pornographic images.

An Easton man fatally shot a woman before killing himself early Thursday morning in Allentown, according to authorities.

A 39-year-old city man was shot to death Monday night in the area of North Law and Liberty streets, officials said. The victim was identified as Terrence Brunson.

Two men are in Lehigh County Jail facing charges of attempted homicide and aggravated assault in connection with a shooting at Sunday's Dominican Festival in downtown Allentown.

The driver of a car that hit a school bus head-on Wednesday crossed a double-yellow line and caused the collision, police said Thursday.

The Allentown Fair introduced metal detectors two years ago, and guests "appreciate" the added security they provide, according to organizers.

A 27-year-old driver from New York was charged with homicide by vehicle and related crimes in connection with the death of 67-year-old Susan Henderson, of Norristown, state police said. It happened on Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township on Tuesday.

Eight were wounded and one person was charged in connection with the shooting, but “it’s too early in the investigation to detail exactly what occurred and to comment whether anyone else is likely to be charged,” District Attorney Gavin Holihan said Wednesday.

A 32-year-old Allentown man died Tuesday at a local hospital shortly after he was found unresponsive in his cell at the Lehigh County Jail. The coroner on Wednesday ruled his death a suicide.

The crash occurred Tuesday morning on Hecktown Road in Lower Nazareth Township, after authorities said police observed the Mercedes driver commit a traffic violation.