Site last updated: Thursday, October 1, 2026

Log In

Reset Password
Butler County's great daily newspaper

Foster mother charged in death

BELLE VERNON — Fayette County prosecutors are accusing a foster mother of not supervising a toddler who wandered away from a church picnic and drowned in a pool.

Police say Jacalyn Mills of Belle Vernon left 2-year-old Donovan Barksdale in the care of a 9-year-old at a June 8 picnic at First Christian Church in Perry Township.

Authorities say when the adults went to eat, the 9-year-old forgot he was supposed to watch the toddler.

Authorities say the toddler wandered away from the picnic, climbed on to a deck and into a pool about 100 yards away.

The 59-year-old Mills is charged with child endangerment and reckless endangerment. A message left for Mills at her home was not immediately returned Monday evening.

More in Pennsylvania News

Subscribe to our Daily Newsletter

* indicates required
TODAY'S PHOTOS