Parents had history of neglect reports before 2-year-old drowned in pool: PSP

HUNTINGDON COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A couple whose 2-year-old drowned in their pool in Sept. 2023 had a history of neglect reports filed with Children and Youth Services (CYS), state police report.

Kathleen Kuhns-Stains, 52, and her husband Gregory Stains, 55, both of Cassville, were charged with involuntary manslaughter and child endangerment more than a year after their 2-year-old child drowned in a pool while Kathleen was asleep in their house, court documents revealed.

According to the criminal complaint, Gregory told troopers he returned home from work Sept. 25, 2023, to find the toddler face down in their above-ground pool. He said he first went into the house to find Kathleen asleep and the child nowhere to be found.

While investigating, troopers said that multiple witnesses said Kathleen was slurring her words that day and her eyes and skin were yellowish. Troopers noted in the affidavit that Kathleen admitted to having a beer at 8:30 a.m. and later retracted that statement.

Detectives soon discovered that the Stains had multiple run-ins with CYS leading up to the death of the toddler. According to charges, the couple’s four-year-old would often walk away from the property while Kathleen was asleep. Troopers noted one instance where the child was found in nothing but a diaper, with their dog, walking alone on a bridge. Another instance noted was the neighbors catching the child on security cameras near their pool, prompting them to find a way to secure the pool area in case the child came back.

According to the complaint, CYS contacted Kathleen seven times about her drinking and leaving the children unattended. Gregory was reportedly talked to twice. It was noted that he agreed to talk to Kathleen.

CYS said the duo was talked to about putting alarms on their doors so the children couldn’t get out while Kathleen was asleep. CYS officials also said that their reports show the kids being locked in their rooms until mid-afternoon.

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Investigators said they later discovered evidence that the duo discussed and agreed to lie to officials about Kathleen’s drinking, the complaint reads.

Kathleen was placed in Huntingdon County Prison with bail set at $500,000. Gregory’s bail was set at $250,000 unsecured.

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