Pennsylvania man pleads guilty to beating his mother to death, pushing her down the stairs
05/11/2023 1:49 pm PDT
ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. (TCD) -- A 45-year-old man will spend 15 to 35 years in prison for beating his mother and leaving her to die in a basement in 2019.
According to the initial press release from the Allegheny County Police Department, on Sept. 7, 2019, at approximately 7:09 a.m., West Mifflin Police received a call from Kenneth Burdick, who said he killed his mother. Officers responded to his home at 713 Shady Lane, where Burdick "surrendered peacefully on the front porch."
West Mifflin Police located Burdick’s 80-year-old mother deceased inside the home, and the Allegheny County Police launched an investigation. Allegheny County Police said there was a history of domestic disturbance reports from the home, but there were no active protection from abuse actions in place at the time.
According to the criminal complaint cited by Trib Live, Burdick told officials his mother was writing bills in her room when he entered and began striking her. He reportedly "knocked her to the ground and began kicking and stomping on her."
The criminal complaint said Burdick "tossed her down the basement steps" while she was still breathing.
Burdick was arrested on a charge of criminal homicide.
The West Mifflin Police Department announced May 11 that Burdick pleaded guilty to killing his mother. According to WTAE-TV, Burdick, who said he was mentally ill, was sentenced to 15 to 35 years for third-degree homicide.
In court, he reportedly said, "I’m sorry to my mother."
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