Daughter’s hearing postponed
A district judge postponed a preliminary hearing Monday for a West Bethlehem Township woman who faces charges in connection with allegations she beat her 92-year-old mother and held the older woman against her will.
State police also filed a new charge of neglect of a care-dependent person against Barbara Ann Girdish, 64, of 84 Grable Road, who already faced charges of aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, simple assault and harassment.
When asked about the allegations following her appearance before District Judge Curtis Thompson, Girdish denied beating her mother and said she “did the best I could.”
Thompson continued the hearing until July 19 so Girdish can find an attorney.
State police charged Girdish May 24 after authorities found her mother, Helen Girdish, inside a first-story bedroom at their home. The Area Agency on Aging had received an anonymous tip an elderly person was being abused at the house a day earlier.
The alleged victim told police her daughter had beaten her and held her against her will over a six-month period.
Helen Girdish was taken first to Washington Hospital and then to a hospital in Pittsburgh to be treated for possible bleeding in her brain.
A family friend said Helen Girdish was released from the hospital after about two weeks and is now in a county facility.
Barbara Girdish is being held in Washington County jail on $25,000 cash bond.