Heartbreaking Discovery: Pennsylvania Mom Leaves Autistic Son, 4, for Over a Day

A Pennsylvania mother has been arrested and charged with felony child endangerment after allegedly leaving her deceased 4-year-old autistic son on the floor for 24 hours before calling 911.

Incident Overview

Amie Marie Ruleman, the mother, called 911 after discovering her son's lifeless body kneeling against a chair. She initially told dispatchers she thought he was asleep when she first saw him in this position hours earlier.

When police arrived at the home in Waynesboro, they found the child had been dead for some time. A medical examination revealed signs of malnourishment, with the child weighing only 25 pounds.

Investigation Details

Authorities reported that Ruleman had given conflicting accounts of her son's state in the hours prior to calling for help. Her revised statement indicated she had seen her son early in the morning but did not check on him until much later.

The home was found to be disorderly with drug paraphernalia accessible to children. Additionally, Ruleman reportedly admitted to skipping several of her son's medical appointments over the last two years without explanation.

Legal Proceedings

Ruleman is being held on a $1 million bond and is scheduled for a court appearance later this month. It remains unclear whether she has obtained legal representation or entered a plea since her arrest. The Waynesboro Police Department has not commented further on the case.