Pa. couple plead no contest in child-starving case
Posted: December 31, 2013 - 3:42am

SMETHPORT, Pa. (AP) -- A northwestern Pennsylvania pastor and his wife accused of underfeeding their three adopted children have pleaded no contest to child endangerment charges. The Kane Republican said 43-year-old Mark Hooper and 40-year-old Susan Hooper of Mt. Jewett entered the pleas Monday in McKean County Court. As a result, the Hoopers avoid a trial that was scheduled to begin next week and the child endangerment charges are reduced from felonies to misdemeanors. Sentencing is slated for February. District Attorney Ray Learn said the plea deal spares the children from testifying at trial. Attorneys for the Hoopers said the plea deal is the best outcome for the couple. The two boys and one girl are all under the age of 12. They live with foster parents.