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Commonwealth v. Rothhaupt-Smith

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� 1 This appeal is from the denial of a motion for a writ of habeas corpus. The appellant was held in custody for a period of 79 days before she had the benefit of a preliminary hearing on the charge of endangering the welfare of her infant son. She argues on appeal that she was unlawfully denied her liberty because the Commonwealth failed to show good cause for the several continuances which were ordered. We agree with appellant, and, therefore, reverse the lower court. Appellant was entitled to release from custody until her preliminary hearing was held.

� 2 The factual background, as supported by the record, is that appellant was arrested on September 20, 2000, pursuant to a warrant dated September 19, 2000. She was charged with endangering the welfare of children in violation of 18 Pa.C.S.A. �4304(a). The basis of the charge was continual neglect of her four-month old son’s health and welfare where he had been left alone at their residence for extended periods of time and was suffering from a severe rash due to infrequent diaper changes.

� 3 A preliminary arraignment was held on September 20, 2000, before District Justice Thomas R. Carr. Bail was set in the amount of $10,000, which was not posted. District Justice Carr set a preliminary hearing date for September 27, 2000, before District Justice Daniel S. Bowman. On September 21, 2000, District Justice Bowman issued a notice of continuance, upon his own request, and set the preliminary hearing date for November 14, 2000. The reason given for the continuance was that District Justice Bowman was scheduled to attend a special court judges committee meeting on September 27, 2000. The notice stated no reason as to why the particular date of November 14 th was chosen.

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