Pennsylvania State Police say a Lock Haven pair kidnapped and assaulted a woman, and that a snake bite interrupted the ordeal long enough for the victim to reach family members and get help.
Here's what to know
According to NorthcentralPa.com, Pennsylvania State Police allege that a failed drug deal in Renovo led to a Sept. 13 kidnapping and assault involving 30-year-old Evan Paul Pletcher and 23-year-old Chelsey Kay Probst.
Police say the planned drug purchase was being arranged through the woman and another man, but nothing was delivered. Investigators allege that Pletcher and Probst then forced the woman into a vehicle and demanded their money back.
Police allege the drive toward Beech Creek Mountain Road began in Renovo and happened without the woman's consent. Along the way, investigators say, they burned her with cigarettes and stabbed her with a knife during the assault, and her phone was taken so she could not call for help.
Near Beech Creek Mountain Road, police say the situation changed when Pletcher got out of the vehicle and was bitten by a snake. Investigators say he and Probst then went to Bucktail Medical Center for treatment, with the victim still with them.
That stop at the medical center gave the woman a chance to contact family members, police say, which alerted authorities to the alleged kidnapping and assault.
TCD Picks » Quince Spotlight
💡These best-sellers from Quince deliver affordable, sustainable luxury for all
What's being done?
On Sept. 17, state police from the Lamar barracks charged both Pletcher and Probst over the alleged kidnapping and aggravated assault tied to the Sept. 13 incident. Judge Frank Mills arraigned both defendants, who were then lodged in Clinton County Prison with bail set at $50,000.
Both defendants posted bail, and the court scheduled their preliminary hearings for Oct. 5 at the Clinton County Courthouse.
Where can I learn more?
This case took an unexpected turn after a snake bite in a remote area. Here are a few recent stories about snake bites and close calls involving families, homes, waterways, and broader public health concerns.
• In North Carolina, a family posted an urgent snake photo after a mother was bitten.
• In the U.K., a couple woke to a snake bite from a pillowcase intruder.
• In India, rising temperatures are driving more snakebite incidents and raising public health fears.
• At lake jetties, one man was nearly tagged by a northern water snake.
• In Geelong, Victoria, video showed a venomous snake wrap around a woman.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips, smart advice, and a chance to earn $5,000 toward home upgrades. To see more stories like this one, change your Google preferences here.
