Police: Penn Hills woman says she sold twins, then backs off claim upon learning of penalties

PENN HILLS, Pa. — Authorities, including the FBI, are trying to locate two of a Penn Hills woman’s six children after police said she told them that she sold the twins several years ago.

Patricia Fowler, 47, is charged with concealment of the whereabouts of a child, as well as obstruction, endangering the welfare of children and unsworn falsification to authorities.

In June, Allegheny County Children, Youth and Families went to Fowler’s rental home and placed four of her children into protective custody. A month later, CYF officials contacted police because they were unable to locate her fraternal twins, a boy and a girl.

According to court papers obtained by Channel 11’s Renee Kaminski, “CYF has been unable to verify the whereabouts of the children for 10 years.”

Police said that when asked about the twins, Fowler told several stories, including that they were with relatives out of the state and then, that they were living with a friend. None of the accounts were found to be true by investigators.

Court papers revealed that Fowler later told police that she sold the twins for $2,000 each. However, when police told Fowler about the potential penalties of selling a child, she told them they were not sold.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the FBI have been unable to locate the children, who would now be 17 years old. Family members also told police they do not know the whereabouts of the children.

Cox Media Group