Oct 2, 2013 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – A Cumberland Township woman was arrested Tuesday after she attempted to break into a house where she had worked as a cleaning lady.

Heather Lynn Bates, 26, of 215 Parkview Knoll, Carmichaels, was charged with criminal attempt burglary, endangering the welfare of a child and defiant criminal trespass.

Police said Bates entered a sunroom at 2538 Mt. Morris Road in Franklin Township, and attempted to manipulate the back door when she was discovered at 1:30 a.m.

In an affidavit filed with Greene County Magisterial District Judge Glenn Bates, police also said Bates had left her 4-year-old son in a vehicle with a person she barely knew.

Dreama Watters, the owner of the residence, told police Bates had worked for her as a cleaning person but she fired her after she suspected her of stealing money from her. Watters said she told Bates to leave and never return.

Watters brother, Mike Clendonin, also a resident of 2538 Mt. Morris Road, told police he had walked into the kitchen when he saw Bates “trying the door and pushing with her shoulder.” Clendonin said he opened the door and grabbed her by the wrist and noticed a white plastic card in her hand which she had been using to attempt to open the door.

Bates was taken into custody after admitting to police that she was trying to break into the residence to take money. Her son was released to the custody of his grandfather.

She was placed in Greene County jail on $20,000 straight cash bail. A preliminary hearing date has not been set.