Town and Country Newspaper

Local News Article

Pennsburg Woman Charged After Hazmat Evacuation

Written by Kelly Chandler, Staff Writer
2012-09-26

Upper Perk Police, in coordination with the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, have filed charges against a Pennsburg woman after emergency responders were called to her home for a hazmat incident in the 300 block of Pottstown Avenue Sept. 6.

According to court documents, around 10:39 p.m., Victoria Waldman was in her home with her two children, ages two, six and seven, when she mixed together large amounts of ammonia, bleach and CLR, a household cleaner.

Police said Waldman, 32, was attempting to commit suicide by ingesting the chemicals.

The criminal complaint stated Waldman sent her husband “alarming” text messages at work, telling him what she was trying to do.

Authorities said her husband came home and was overwhelmed by a strong odor of chemicals inside. Police stated the chemicals made him physically sick, his mouth dry and also caused breathing difficulties.

Waldman’s husband found his wife conscious but unresponsive in their bedroom. She was later treated at Lehigh Valley Hospital for ingesting the chemicals as well as a substantial amount of lithium, an anti-seizure medication, and other narcotics.

Upper Perk Police said Waldman was the only adult home at the time of the incident and the three children were found in their bedroom on the second floor of the home. Police said their bedroom is directly next to the master bedroom where Victoria was found.

Despite earlier reports, the children were transported to Lehigh Valley Hospital for treatment. According to one source, one of the children had to stay overnight at the facility.

Residents in two neighboring homes were evacuated by Pennsburg Fire Company due to noxious fumes. Police said they could smell the chemicals at least 20 yards away.

Victoria Waldman was charged with three counts of endangering the welfare of children, a felony charge of causing a catastrophe and four counts of recklessly endangering another person. She was arraigned by Judge Catherine Hummel-Fried of Red Hill Monday and bail was set at $20,000.

A formal arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 7 in Montgomery County Court.

Return to Previous Page