40-year-old Matthew Wolfe was supposed to spend 20-to-40 years behind bars for the November 2013 death of his two-month-old daughter, Quinn. After a hearing in Lehigh County Court, that sentence was cut to four-and-a-half to nine years, meaning Wolfe could be a free man as soon as November. The agreement comes as the result of allegations of misdiagnosis against former Lehigh Valley Health Network Dr. Debra Esernio-Jenssen. She is the subject of more than two dozen lawsuits claiming she misdiagnosed abuse cases. Those allegations prompted the Lehigh County DA's office to reevaluate several cases in which she testified, including Wolfe's. The guilty verdict against him was tossed out and Wolfe was given the chance to plead no contest to third-degree murder and endangering the welfare of a child charges. He was convicted after Esernio-Jennsen testified the baby died from multiple injuries, including abusive head trauma.
Police are searching for two suspects in connection to a shooting in Fountain Hill Monday night. Authorities say a man was shot in the chest on Cherokee Street at around 9 p.m. He was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Fountain Hill P-D.
Easton police are asking the public to help identify two females accused of attacking a 12-year-old Easton Area Middle School girl after cheerleading practice last month. The fight was August 19. It was prompted by an incident during practice between a seventh grade girl and an eighth grade girl. Police say the eighth grader left practice, but was then attacked by two older females as she left. Both the girl and her older sister, who intervened during the scuffle suffered bruises and scrapes. During the investigation, the same two females were caught on tape being involved in a second fight at 14th and Ferry streets.
Allentown remains one of the "Asthma Capitals" of the United States. The latest report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation ranks the city as the third-most challenging in the country for people living with asthma. However it's still an improvement for Allentown, which was named the number-one Asthma Capital the past two years. The report says the estimated prevalence of asthma in the city and the number of emergency department visits is worse than average.
An investigation is underway after reports of multiple explosions in Palmer Township. Police say residents are hearing explosions in the middle of the night, with some stating the blasts have gone on for years. However, there have been no reports of injuries or property damage. Anyone who hears an explosion is urged to call 911.
Pennsylvania's gas prices have gone rather dramatically higher over the past seven days. According to AAA East Central, gas prices across the Commonwealth jumped up by eight cents to $3.37 as of Tuesday. That's four cents less than last September 9th's price. In the Lehigh Valley, the average price was $3.24 on Tuesday, up a nickel from the week earlier and six cents less than the 2024 price.
A child who was hospitalized after the Kipona Festival crash last week is out of a coma. Family members say six-year-old Faiz Sharif has fully regained consciousness and his breathing tube has been removed. However, he still remains in serious condition. Sharif's relatives thanked the community for its support, stating that it has made a real difference for the family.
New Jersey's health department is making sure anyone in the Garden State who wants a COVID vaccine this season can receive one without a prescription. The state Department of Health has issued an Executive Directive and a Standing Order to make everyone eligible and authoring pharmacies to give the shots without a prescription. The move comes as COVID cases tick up in the west and south and after the Trump administration moved to limit access. The department says its moves are based on, quote, clear, scientific, and evidence-based recommendations in contrast to the changes made by Washington.
The NFL is punishing Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Multiple reports say Carter will not appeal the league's punishment, which includes a fine over 57-thousand-dollars. Carter was ejected before the first snap of the regular season for the action, which he later apologized for. The league says his ejection will count as a one-game suspension. The Eagles play the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday for a Super Bowl rematch.
The Phillies now have a nine game lead in the NL East after beating the Mets 9-3 Tuesday night. Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th home run in the game and talked about it afterwards. "It's a cool moment and obviously I want to enjoy it. But, there's still a lot more baseball to be played and I want to focus on every single day trying to help get this team to where we want to be," Schwarber said after the game. Schwarber is just the second Phillie to ever hit 50 home runs in a single season. Ryan Howard holds the franchise record with 58.