Police Beat

A 31-year-old Towamencin Township woman who allegedly fled the scene on route-309 after hitting two teens and killing one in late April, has waived her preliminary hearing. Sarah Derstein is charged with homicide by vehicle in the death of 15-year-old, Dennis Kee. Deshawn Page, also 15, was injured. According to police, Derstein was drunk, and reading a text while driving when she hit Kee and Page on the night of April 26th . Derstein faces formal arraignment  on July 17th. 

The body of an Upper Gwynedd man has been discovered in the Gwynedd Wildlife Preserve. Police say, Joshua Hutchinson was last seen on May 9th. The 26-year-old was not reported missing until May 27th, according to police. A member of a search group, consisting of family and friends, found Hutchinson’s body just before 4:30 Saturday afternoon near a walking trail in a wooded area. Hutchinson’s family used social media giant, Facebook, to ask people for help in finding Joshua and thanked everyone who helped in the search. The results of an autopsy have not been released, but according reports, police do not suspect foul play in Hutchinson’s death. 

The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department is reaching out to parents who owe child support with an amnesty-week. Montgomery county sheriff, Eileen Behr says, from June 10th until June 14th, people who owe child support can make arraignments to start paying to avoid arrest.

“There are about 300 active warrants out there for people who are failing to pay child support. When you fail to pay, Sooner or later it becomes a criminal warrant for failure to follow the court order for payment.”

Behr adds, about 5-million dollars is owed to families for child support. The County’s Department of Domestic Relations has a list of offenders who repeatedly have ignored notices. According to records, one parent owes
55-grand, while another owes 44-thousand.

The Lower Gwynedd Township Police Department has a new to cop. He’s also a familiar face to residents and staff. Paul Kenny was sworn-in as the new Police Chief of Lower Gwynedd Township. Kenny started with the department as a patrolman in 1985. Kenny takes over for Chief John Scholly, who recently retired after holding the position for the last ten years.