The state troopers found the newborn boy's decomposing body next to a container filled with burned-herb remnants.
His parents, Pennsylvania couple Drew and Amy Hoenigke, is now being charged with involuntary manslaughter and other felonies after authorities stated that the parents waited three long days before notifying the police that their newborn son was dead.
In a statement from the Pennsylvania Attorney General, they are also facing charges of aggravated assault and endangering the welfare of a child.
Brigitte Meckes, a friend of the family who was also at the crime scene, has been charged with the same offense being an accessory to the crime.
Authorities further stated that the baby, born at home, only lived for three days. In an attempt by the parents to care for their newborn baby, they allegedly used teas and herbs instead of modern medicine.
Distrust of modern medicine
Drew, 31, told The Daily Beast that they do not trust modern medicine. Thus, they decided not to bring the baby to the hospital or call the police immediately after the death. Moreover, he expressed that they were also concerned about what the authorities will do to their two-year-old daughter Hettis, who is unvaccinated, and was also home birthed and without a birth certificate.
According to the attorney general's statement, the baby, after being birthed, showed some severe signs of distress. The parents described him as "struggling to breathe" and even "turning blue."
Drew and Amy allegedly administered "holistic remedies" to the baby.
"In a failed attempt to aid the child, Amy Hoenigke and Meckes utilized a peppermint oil infuser and attempted to create a makeshift breathing tube from a water bottle. Without proper medical care, the baby died approximately two days after birth. The inaction of the defendants resulted in needless suffering, and made it impossible for the baby to survive," the attorney in general wrote.
Further, he expressed that experts believe the parents should have urgently sought medical intervention when the newborn began showing signs of distress and even more when he was breathing heavily.
Living unconventionally
In a police report that People obtained, responding officers reported that the house of the Hoenigke was "congested and disheveled," having numerous stacks of dirty dishes in the sink and countertops.
Officers alleged that the family moved to a rural area to live a "more holistic lifestyle."
Amy, 34, was reported to have informed the police that they do not live a conventional lifestyle and are not focused on timeframes and keeping track of the days.
The couple and Meckes paid a $150,000 bond each and have since been released, awaiting a pre-trial court appearance next month. Court records do not show any attorney representatives on their behalf, nor have they entered a plea.
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