Sep 11, 2018 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – One Nemacolin parent whose child was hospitalized earlier this year after testing positive for exposure to cocaine pleaded guilty Tuesday.

Joseph Andrew Brownlee, 29, of 99 Bliss Ave., pleaded guilty to endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person.

He was sentenced as part of a negotiated agreement to three years of county intermediate punishment, with the first 60 days to be served under house arrest.

Brownlee was also given 70 hours of community service and must remain compliant with any requirements of Greene County Children and Youth Services as part of the court order.

Greene County Assistant District Attorney Brianna Vanatta said Brownlee had provided several documents indicating his progress, including certificates of completion for two parenting classes. He was also in compliance with his CYS family plan and had finished intensive outpatient drug and alcohol treatment just two weeks prior.

“Mr. Brownlee has made steps to better prepare for his role of father to the victim in this case,” Vanatta said.

Greene County Judge Lou Dayich praised Brownlee for making positive strides to getting his children back, but also warned that violating the terms of the agreement could lead to resentencing, with sentences ranging from probation to 10 months in jail. For example, refusing to answer the door for a CYS check could result in a probation violation.

Dayich added he recognized both the age of the victim and Brownlee’s progress to reuniting his family. There are a lot of incentives for continuing that progress, Dayich said, and the court sanctions would serve as another motivation.

“We do want children to be with their parents, so the court is comfortable with the agreement,” Dayich said.

Co-defendant and mother Arielle Laenee Jolly and Brownlee brought their then 3-year-old daughter to WHS-Greene hospital March 29 because she was acting strangely. She had a blank look on her face, and she was drooling and sweaty, court documents indicate. She was then transferred to UPMC-Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh for treatment.

The child tested positive for cocaine. Both Jolly and Brownlee tested positive for cocaine following a drug test by CYS.

Both faced the same charges. Felony endangerment charges were downgraded to misdemeanors when their charges were held for court in April. The couple has two children together, and both were taken under the care of CYS after their arrest.

Jolly last appeared in court Aug. 14 for plea court at which the defense submitted a request for trial. Jolly has another appearance in plea court set for Oct. 10 and is scheduled for jury selection in November. She remains free on a $15,000 percentage bond.