Pa. man arrested after pregnant Amish woman was found fatally shot with 'scalping-type wound'

SPARTA TOWNSHIP, Pa. (TCD) -- Investigators arrested a 52-year-old man they allege broke into a pregnant Amish woman's house and killed her while two young children were nearby.

On Saturday, March 2, Pennsylvania State Police announced Shawn Cranston was taken into custody following an "exhaustive five day investigation" on charges of criminal homicide, criminal homicide of an unborn child, burglary, and criminal trespass for the death of 23-year-old Rebekah Byler.

Byler was found deceased in her Crawford County home on Feb. 26. State Police did not release many details about her death at the time except that her killing was being investigated as a criminal homicide.

According to Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers, Byler, who was six months pregnant, sustained "fatal wounds to her head and neck." The Erie Times-News reports Byler had a "scalping-type wound" on her head, and according to The Associated Press, she was shot in the head.

Two of Byler's children were at home when she was killed but were not injured.

Cranston is being held without bail at the Crawford County Jail.

MORE:

• Criminal Homicide - Pennsylvania State Police
• Update: Arrest Made in Murder of Pregnant Amish Woman - Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers
• Police: Pregnant Amish woman shot, throat cut in killing that led to arrest of Corry man - Erie Times-News
• An arrest has been made in the slaying of a pregnant Amish woman in Pennsylvania - The Associated Press
• Pregnant Amish woman found dead in her home is being investigated as homicide - TCD