How Could You? Hall of Shame-Jeanette Nicole Hunsberger

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Cogan Station, Pennsylvania, foster mother Jeanette Nicole Hunsberger, 24,” is facing felony charges after police say she repeatedly abused a 5-year-old girl over the course of a year.

Pictures of injuries the child sustained had been sent to officials at Lycoming County Children and Youth, but it wasn’t until police were notified of suspected abuse in the fall that the child was removed and the foster mother was charged.”

“Jeanette Nicole Hunsberger, 24, and her husband, Justice, were foster parents for a non-verbal autistic girl placed in their care beginning in November 2022.

The child’s biological mother and stepfather “consistently” raised concerns their daughter was being physically abused at the Hunsberger home in the 4000 block of Quenshukeny Road. From the beginning of the placement, Lycoming County Children and Youth workers requested photographs of any injuries the child suffered while in their care.

Jeanette Hunsberger forwarded several photos and explanations for each injury throughout the year, saying the child was clumsy or had accidentally injured herself. During that time, the child’s blood was tested for signs of a disorder that could cause her to bleed and bruise easily. The results of the child’s bloodwork were “normal.”

On Oct. 30, 2023, Hunsberger sent another photo of the child, this time with a visible handprint on her thigh. Hunsberger admitted she’d made the mark, telling CYS she usually smacks the girl’s hand when she touches things she’s not supposed to touch or can hurt herself on. Hunsberger explained she missed the child’s hand and inadvertently smacked her thigh.

She told workers that was the “only time we have ever done anything that left a mark,” and said the thigh bruise made it look like she smacked the child “way harder” than she actually had.

CYS contacted law enforcement, who asked for copies of all the documented injuries sent to Lycoming County. Trp. Matthew Miller of state police at Montoursville then contacted the Central Region CYS to aid in the investigation.

After an independent review that included two child abuse experts — Dr. Pat Bruno of Geisinger and Dr. Kathryn Crowell of Penn State Children’s Hospital — experts concluded the documented injuries were “highly suggestive” of repeated abuse. One injury, a fractured finger, would likely cause the young girl lasting pain, the doctors noted.

After the child was removed from the Hunsberger’s care, her physical condition significantly improved, which was also a sign she had previously been abused, they concluded.

The child’s 7-year-old sister told officials Jeanette Hunsberger punished the girl by hitting her on the hand and Justice Hunsberger would scream at the child when she cried.

Jeanette Hunsberger was charged with 11 counts of felony child endangerment and 11 counts of simple assault. She faces a preliminary hearing April 17 before Judge Denise Dieter.”

Foster mother charged for alleged abuse
[North Central PA.com 3/18/24 by Julye Temple]

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