How Could You? Hall of Shame- Landon Maloberti case-Child Death UPDATED

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 Delmont, Pennsylvania, “two Westmoreland County individuals are facing homicide charges after their child passed away due to suspected abuse earlier this year, according to the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s office.

According to a press release, Landon Maloberti, 5, was taken to AHN Hempfield Neighborhood Hospital after becoming unconscious on January 30.

The district attorney states that Landon was then transported to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh before being pronounced dead on February 7.

The press release states that Landon’s adoptive parents, Jacob Maloberti, 33, and Lauren Maloberti, 34, were taken into custody after an investigation revealed that Landon had evidence of previous injuries and abuse prior to his death.

Online court dockets show that Jacob Maloberti faces one count of criminal homicide, one felony charge of endangering the welfare of children, one felony charge of aggravated assault with a victim less than 13 years of age, one felony charge of aggravated assault with attempt to cause serious bodily injury and one charge of conspiracy of endangering the welfare of children.

Court dockets also show tha tLauren Maloberti faces one count of criminal homicide, one count of murder of the first degree, one felony charge of aggravated assault with a victim less than 13 years of age, one felony charge of aggravated assault with attempt to cause serious bodily injury and one charge of conspiracy of endangering the welfare of children.

Court dockets also show that both individuals have a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 8.”
Westmoreland County couple facing homicide charges after death of five-year-old boy
[WJACTV 7/28/23 by Alyssa Coleman]

“Five-year-old Landon Maloberti suffered bruises over most of his body and massive brain bleeding and was the victim of torture at the hands of his adoptive mother and her husband, according to testimony Tuesday by a physician and child advocate.

Dr. Michelle Clayton testified during a preliminary hearing for Lauren Maloberti, 34, and Jacob Maloberti, 33, both of Delmont, that the child’s dozens of injuries were related to child abuse and caused his death in early February.

“Landon was subjected to torture,” Clayton testified. “This was ongoing physical abuse, emotional abuse and psychological abuse.”

Following five hours of testimony at the Westmoreland County Courthouse, District Judge Charles Conway ordered Lauren and Jacob Maloberti held for trial.

Lauren Maloberti, who according to police adopted Landon in 2019 two years before she married Jacob, her second husband, is charged with first-degree murder, criminal homicide, child endangerment, conspiracy and two counts of aggravated assault.

Jacob Maloberti, a corrections officer at the state prison in Fayette County, is charged with criminal homicide, two counts of aggravated assault, child endangerment and conspiracy.

The child was declared brain dead Feb. 5, Clayton testified.”

Doctor testifies Delmont child was victim of ongoing abuse, torture
[Trib Live 8/15/23 by RICH CHOLODOFSKY]

“A Delmont man accused in connection with the killing of his 5-year-old adopted son is seeking release from jail on a no-money bond.

Jacob Maloberti, 33, was charged along with his wife, Lauren, in July with criminal homicide, reckless endangerment, aggravated assault, conspiracy and other related offenses related to allegations their son was tortured and beaten to death earlier this year.

According to documents filed Friday by Assistant Public Defender David Mulock, Maloberti is seeking release from jail on a nominal or recognizance bond that would require him to post little to no money ahead of a potential release from jail. He has been held without bond since his arrest this summer.

Mulock, in the court filing, wrote that Maloberti is indigent and unable to obtain bond for his release pending trial.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Scott Mears will convene a bail hearing for Maloberti on Sept. 27, according to court records.

The defense request said Maloberti, a former corrections officer in Fayette County, would live with his wife and surviving children at his parents home in Export or her parents residence in Greensburg if he is released from jail.

Mulock previously argued the charges against Maloberti should be dismissed for lack of evidence.

Lauren Maloberti, 34, is being held without bond at the Westmoreland County Prison as she awaits trial on similar offenses, including an elevated charge of first-degree murder.

Prosecutors claim the Malobertis inflicted fatal injuries on 5-year-old Landon Maloberti and delayed getting him medical attention until they finally drove the boy to a hospital in Hempfield on Jan. 30. A doctor testified last month during a preliminary hearing that the child was subjected to physical, psychological and emotional abuse.

Doctors said the child had dozens bruises on his head, face, arms, legs, back and abdomen, multiple lacerations and massive brain bleeding and swelling.”

Delmont dad charged in son’s death seeks release on bail
[TRib Live 9/22/23 by RICH CHOLODOFSKY]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Update:“A Delmont mother charged in connection with the death of her 5-year-old adopted son last year “categorically denies” allegations she caused the boy’s fatal injuries, her defense lawyer said after a court appearance Tuesday.

Defense attorney Adam Gorzelsky said the prosecution’s case against Lauren Maloberti is based on false assumptions.

“It wasn’t murder. Perhaps it was an accident or perhaps it was something else. She was well known in the community for taking care of her children and other children. It’s a stretch,” Gorzelsky said of the prosecution’s allegations the boy was tortured.

Maloberti, 35, is charged with first-degree murder, aggravated assault, child endangerment and conspiracy related to the Feb. 7, 2023, death of her son, Landon. She adopted the child in 2019, police said.

Prosecutors claim she and her husband, Jacob Maloberti, 34, physically and emotionally abused the child and failed to get him proper medical attention for his injuries. Authorities claimed the child had dozens of bruises on his head, face, arms, legs, back and abdomen, multiple lacerations and massive brain bleeding and swelling.

Jacob Maloberti faces similar charges. Both are in jail without bond as they await trial.

Gorzelsky told Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Scott Mears he was not ready for trial and expects to receive and review medical reports within a month to help craft the defense theory of the case.

Jacob Maloberti is scheduled to appear before Mears this week to update the judge on his trial preparations.”

Delmont mom rejects torture claim in adopted son’s death/
[Trib Live 6/25/24 by RICH CHOLODOFSKY]