PA - Conner, 8, & Brinley Snyder, 4, found hung, later died, Kempton, 23 Sept 2019 *Arrest*

[MassGuy]

The chairs wouldn’t be enough to tie the chain around the rafters though. Would they? Because how high were the rafters from the floor?

That’s the question. I’ve been in some basements where the rafters were so low that I’ve had to duck.

It those kids couldn’t have reached without a ladder, and there was no ladder, then that would be yet another incriminating detail.

 

[gitana1]

That’s the question. I’ve been in some basements where the rafters were so low that I’ve had to duck.

It those kids couldn’t have reached without a ladder, and there was no ladder, then that would be yet another incriminating detail.

Oops I read your post as the chairs might’ve been enough!!

 

[Seattle1]

The chairs wouldn’t be enough to tie the chain around the rafters though. Would they? Because how high were the rafters from the floor?

I think an adult could reach rafters from a chair but I'm not sure about an 8 year old. I do see this architecture/age with low ceiling basement.

 

[gitana1]

I think an adult could reach rafters from a chair but I'm not sure about an 8 year old. I do see this architecture/age with low ceiling basement.

So it’s possible the rafters were low enough?

 

[MassGuy]

Oops I read your post as the chairs might’ve been enough!!

That is what I was saying.

Not that I think for a second that the kids did this, but I have encountered basements where a child could hypothetically reach with a chair.

Without more information, we don’t know if that is a possibility in this particular case.

 

[Wild Rose]

You are definitely right about it being beyond words. I haven’t found the right ones after 6 1/2 years. I hope someone encourages him to talk to a counselor - even if he only goes once.

His squad did have counseling for sure. I remember all the worst calls, they never go away, you just take solace from hoping that you helped. I have been on calls where some members cannot handle a call for whatever reason, and another member automatically steps up and handles it. I had a great team. Your emotions sometimes take over no matter what you wish. And when you are alone, you cannot predict how you react. I was fine with blood, even body parts, but when my own kids would be injured, my arms and legs would go completely numb. It was so hard to treat them like I treated strangers. I was so happy just to see a policeman. I was always scared when I was alone with them that there would be an injury. I hope there is compassion during trying times. I am so sorry for your difficulties and time does not erase. Keep talking to friends, it helps. It helps so much.

 

[gitana1]

That is what I was saying.

Not that I think for a second that the kids did this, but I have encountered basements where a child could hypothetically reach with a chair.

Without more information, we don’t know if that is a possibility in this particular case.

I imagine an arrest would be quick if the rafters were too high and ladder was near by?

 

[TTF14]

I'm imagining the rafters being quite low in a house in this geographical area (blue-collar area, older homes, etc.) I don't think the basement had a 13 foot ceiling, jmo. Probably not even a 9 foot ceiling.

 

[TTF14]

Anyone have the gumption to look around on realtor.com for comps from the area to see what the basements are like?

 

[MimosaMornings]

https://www.trulia.com/p/pa/kempton/2442-route-143-kempton-pa-19529--2017760569

This house has a full basement. As an example.

 

[AgeofAquaruis]

Police serve new search warrant, turn up more phones at Berks home where children were found hanged

Oct 10, 2019

After searching the Albany Township home where a young boy and girl were found hanged in their basement, state police recently returned to find two more cellphones, a search warrant made public Thursday shows.

[...]

“It is believed by this investigator that Lisa Snyder is still in possession” of a second cellphone, a search warrant issued Oct. 4 and released Thursday read.

Troopers said the 911 call did not come from the first phone they seized from Snyder’s home on the day the children were found.

In an interview with Snyder’s only other child, a 17-year-old son, troopers were surprised to learn Snyder had multiple phones, the latest warrant notes. Asked if the finding meant that Snyder had failed to turn over the additional cellphones earlier, Berks County District Attorney John Adams said only: “Normally, people only have one cellphone and now we have three.”

Snyder hasn’t commented on the deaths and could not be reached Thursday. Police have not identified Conner and Brinley’s father. Several of Snyder’s friends and relatives told The Morning Call he was not involved in the children’s lives.

Police have served five warrants on the home at 2442 Route 143 near Kempton: Sept. 23, 24, 27, Oct. 2 and 4, releasing the first four to the public on Monday and the last one on Thursday. They all list either “criminal homicide” or “criminal attempt homicide" as the violation underlying the warrant. However, Adams said that’s procedural and does not mean the case is a homicide. Police haven’t determined that and the Lehigh County coroner’s office has not ruled on the cause or manner of death.

[...]

One warrant, on Oct. 2, was specifically for a dog — a black husky-pit bull mix weighing 50 pounds — that still has not been found. Investigators said weighing the dog would help in reconstructing what happened but they would not say why.

Thank You.

 

[Seattle1]

So it’s possible the rafters were low enough?

This is likely a 6' basement ceiling. These old basements are seldom finished because human habitation typically requires 7' ceilings (building code).

I just had another thought. Mother mentioned that the dog was kept outside. I'm inclined to think the dog was tethered outside (based on double latch, coated chain).

I'm wondering if mom would bring the dog inside basement during inclement weather, and tether dog in the basement. Perhaps mom pre-hung the dog chain from the rafters in basement and just happened to leave it there. If so, maybe Conner didn't need to reach all the way to rafters.

There's also a warrant for the dog that hasn't been produced for LE.

Too much mystery surrounding the dog too.

MOO

 

[katydid23]

The chairs wouldn’t be enough to tie the chain around the rafters though. Would they? Because how high were the rafters from the floor?

They'd have to be taller than the children, right?
To clarify, if the child was standing on the chair, and kicked it out, they wouldn't have died unless the ceiling was high enough over their heads for a hanging leash strong enough to support their weight. I would guess it would have to be taller than the 8 yr olds arms would reach?

 

[katydid23]

This is likely a 6' basement ceiling. These old basements are seldom finished because human habitation typically requires 7' ceilings (building code).

I just had another thought. Mother mentioned that the dog was kept outside. I'm inclined to think the dog was tethered outside (based on double latch, coated chain).

I'm wondering if mom would bring the dog inside basement during inclement weather, and tether dog in the basement. Perhaps mom pre-hung the dog chain from the rafters in basement and just happened to leave it there. If so, maybe Conner didn't need to reach all the way to rafters.

There's also a warrant for the dog that hasn't been produced for LE.

Too much mystery surrounding the dog too.

MOO

It's sad to think of a dog chained in the basement. Couldnt he just freely roam in the basement, without being chained? Sad too imagine.

I hate to think he was kept chained up all of the time, outside too. I hate to see dogs treated that way.

 

[Seattle1]

https://www.trulia.com/p/pa/kempton/2442-route-143-kempton-pa-19529--2017760569

This house has a full basement. As an example.

Yes it does -- evidenced from the basement windows. We believe the basement is unfinished, and based on age, low or 6'ceiling height.

 

[TTF14]

They'd have to be taller than the children, right?

Not necessarily. A full-grown adult can hang themselves from a doorknob if they want to.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Chair seat height is about 18”-20” and the ceiling height in the basement would depend on how many standard sized (8” x 8” x 16”) cement blocks they used. The walls are usually just under a standard 8’ wall height, even if there are plans to use the lower level as a living area. The floor joists are generally 12” but this home is older so they may have only been 8”. The boy was big for his age but he did not look that tall. If the cable was wrapped around the floor joist to contain the dog during bad weather, then that would explain how it got there without the boy using a ladder.

You cannot cut a wire cable without wire cutters. Most households do not have a need for heavy duty wire cutters. However, I do think Mom could have lifted the girl up out of the cable. Stand up one of those chairs and climb up there to get your child down. JMO. Once the girl was down, perhaps the slack in the cable would have helped the boy.

 

[claudianunes]

I don’t think mommy’s Facebook is still up, but I’d love to see it. I think there’s three plausible motives here, or a mixture of them.

The kids were somehow in the way (Like Diane Downs).

Some sort of financial motivation.

Attention seeking. This would go beyond any effort to sell the “bullying” scenario, which would be in her interest to push as a way to misdirect the investigation (something equivalent to Munchausen).

It's still up. The name was changed. Everything is locked though, nothing public at this point.

 

[MassGuy]

It's still up. The name was changed. Everything is locked though, nothing public at this point.

Thanks, I just noticed the same thing.

Nothing to see there.

 

[Seattle1]

It's sad to think of a dog chained in the basement. Couldnt he just freely roam in the basement, without being chained? Sad too imagine.

I hate to think he was kept chained up all off the time, outside too. I hate to see dogs treated that way.

Looks like they live in rural area-- rural route runs in front of their home. Loose dogs often become road kill in these areas.

Sadly, I've seen many untrained dogs chained outdoors in similar areas that get nothing more than fed and watered daily -- serve as guard dogs to bark if anyone approaches.

My dog probably spends equal time in/outside and I've never thought to label her "outdoor dog" Mom made a point of that.

https://www.trulia.com/p/pa/kempton/2442-route-143-kempton-pa-19529--2017760569#lil-streetViewTab