Wednesday, March 16th:
*Preliminary Hearings for all (@ 9am ET) – PA -
*Jasmine Jean (4) &
Nicole Elizabeth (6)
Snyder (missing/last seen since Sept. 2015 & found Nov. 6 & 7, 2021 buried in Williamsport City, Lycoming County; Jasmine: died/was killed on around Aug. 11, 2017 & subsequently buried in 2017 & Nicole: died/was killed around May 10, 2016 & subsequently buried in 2016, both in the back yard on Livermore Rd.) -
*Marie Sue Snyder (27 @ time of first crime/32) “mom” arrested & charged (11/5/21) & recharged & arraigned (1/7/22) with 2 counts of murder, 2 counts endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, concealing the death of a child, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, abuse of corpse, obstruction in child abuse cases, tampering with evidence, with theft related to assistance & child support money she received. Bond denied, reason: flight risk & danger to society. DA will seek the DP.
*
Echo Lane Butler (21 @ time of first crime/26) arrested & charged (11/5/21) & recharged & arraigned (1/7/22) with 2 counts of murder, 2 count s of endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, concealing the death of a child, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, abuse of corpse, obstruction in child abuse cases & tampering with evidence. Bond denied, reason: flight risk, danger to self & others. DA will seek the DP.
*Michele Lee Butler (43 @ time of first crime/48/now 49) (mother of Echo) arrested & charged (11/9/21) , recharged & arraigned (1/7/22) with 2 counts of 3rd degree murder, 2 counts of felony endangering the welfare of children, obstruction in child abuse cases, abuse of corpse, concealing the death of a child & tampering with evidence. Bond denied, reason: flight risk & danger to society.
An affidavit of probable cause unsealed 1/7/22 outlined confessions of unimaginable abuse & neglect, including physical abuse, daily physical restraint, deliberate starvation, punishment by cold baths or showers, and more. It was physical abuse & starvation that led to the death of two young girls in Hepburn Township whose remains were found buried in a yard in Hepburn Township last November. The affidavit indicates that Marie Snyder & Michele Butler admitted to officers they knew of or actively participated in the abuse of the two children & implicated Echo Butler.
Affidavit & court info from 11/6/21 to 1/3/22 reference post #85 here:
Found Deceased - PA - Jasmine, 4, & Nicole Snyder, 6, Lycoming Co, 10 Sep 2021 *arrests*
1/7/22 Update: Lycoming County District Attorney Ryan C. Gardner said on Friday that he'll be seeking the extreme punishment for Marie Sue Snyder & her partner, Echo Lane Butler-the latter of whom apparently did the burying-if they are convicted. He will be seeking the death penalty. He made the announcement Friday at the arraignments of Marie Sue Snyder & her partner, Echo Lane Butler on homicide, endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, concealing the death of a child, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, abuse of corpse, obstruction in child abuse cases & tampering with evidence. Snyder is also charged with theft related to assistance & child support money she received. Arraigned on third-degree murder, endangering the welfare of children, obstruction in child abuse cases, abuse of corpse, concealing the death of a child & tampering with evidence, but not facing the death penalty was Butler’s mother, Michele L. Butler. Snyder & the Butlers are being held without bail in separate jails. Their preliminary hearings are scheduled for 2/22/22.
2/22/22 Update: Preliminary hearings for all has been reset to 3/16/22.
*Ronald Ray Butler (53) (father of Echo) arrested, charged & arraigned (2/28/22) with 2 counts of endangering welfare of children-parent/guardian/other commits offense & 1 count of obstruction. $200K bond.
2/28/22 Update: Preliminary arraignment held. Next preliminary hearing on 3/16/22 @ 9am.