Two Charged in Aliquippa Infant’s Death Last Fall

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Two people have been charged, arrested, and jailed in connection with an Aliquippa infant’s death last fall.

According to the criminal complaint Aliquippa Police and firefighters were called to a Sheffield Road home on  October 30, 2021 at 7:21 p.m.. for an unresponsive seven month old baby. Vincent Edward Owens, 44 was in the room with the child when firefighters arrived. The infant was taken to the hospital where it was pronounced dead.

He was reportedly watching the child while its mother, Melinda S. Cecchi, 34, was at work, according to  the criminal complaint. The  home and the room where the child was being treated  was in deplorable condition  with drug paraphernalia, and also in a room where 2 other  children, ages 10 and 5 had been . Holes in the second floor bathroom were noted where the children could have fallen through

Owens is charged with  endangering the welfare of children2 counts, 1 count of involuntary manslaughter, 3 counts of endangering the welfare of children, 4 more counts of endangering the welfare of children, use/possession of drug paraphernalia, 3 counts,
Owens was arrested, charged, and arraigned on all charges and placed in the Beaver County Jail. Bail was set at $1 million.
 Cecchi is charged with 2 counts of child endangerment, 3 counts of child endangerment, endangering the welfare of children 3 counts, 1 count of child endangerment , and use, possession of drug paraphernalia.  She is  lodged in the Beaver County Jail on $500,000. bond.
The charges were filed on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in District justice Felicia Santillan’s office by  Aliquippa Police Sergeant Steve Roberts. .The home was condemned by the city code and zoning officer James Bologna.