On January 20, 2022, Pennsylvania State troopers showed up at Amy and Drew Hoenigke’s home in Cherry Township, Sullivan County. Snow was all around and the front porch entrance was cluttered. Firewood, which was the main source of heat for the family’s home, was found nearby. Upon entering, officers said they saw a typical family scene. Amy, 31 and Drew, 34, were on the couch and their daughter, 2-year-old Hettie, was sitting facing a laptop.
No one would have expected that a newborn, at peace in his wooden cradle, had already been dead for three days.
Officers said the infant’s body was already showing signs of decomposition. They found a box, which the father had apparently constructed to serve as his son’s coffin.
The parents said they didn’t bury the newborn right away, due to extreme weather conditions.
The child, named Mahko, who was born on January 14, was delivered with the assistance of a friend of the couple, 47-year-old Birgitte Meckes. Meckes was said to have attended and passed nursing school but was an unlicensed medical practitioner.
According to the parents, the infant survived for two days and then had problems breathing. They attempted to save the baby’s life with natural products such as herbs and teas. They did not seek outside medical assistance when the newborn didn’t respond to their interventions and turned blue.
The Hoenigkes said they didn’t notify police because of fear that they might be forced to give up their daughter. It was later learned that their daughter Hettie’s birth hadn’t been registered, and she remains what authorities call “undocumented.” The child is also unvaccinated. The couple said that they are afraid of modern medicine.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro said that the adults acted irresponsibility toward their children. He said that the infant’s death could have been prevented if he had been given emergency care.
The father said that he still believes in natural birthing but cautions should always be exercised since “one thing going wrong can possibly cost you your family, your freedom, and your future.” He said that parents should seek medical help when their child needs it.
After almost a year, on December 19, 2022, the Hoenigkes and the friend, Meckes, were charged with involuntary manslaughter, aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, and endangering the welfare of children.
The mom, Amy Hoenigke told investigators that the couple and their daughter “do not live a conventional lifestyle and choose not to pay attention to things like time frames or even keep track of the days.”
Now they are keeping track of time in a prison cell, and social media is bursting with support as well as criticism about the couple’s “free” lifestyle.