Pennsylvania Man Thought He Would Inherit House Because His Mother Died. Now, He Will Spend Decades in Prison for Beating Her to Death With Baseball Bat.

A Pennsylvania man will spend up to 40 years in prison for the murder of his mother in November 2021, according to authorities.

On Nov. 20, 2021, police received a call from a neighbor asking for a welfare check on 61-year-old Sarah Jones at her home in Coal Township, The Daily Item reported.

Once at the scene, police found 40-year-old Christopher Depka, Jones’ son, in the bathroom with the lights turned off. He told police he was planning to replace the flooring in the bathroom, authorities said.

Officers found a syringe on the floor and said Depka seemed “a little agitated,” officials said.

Police put Depka in handcuffs and asked where his mother was and he said he didn’t know where she was, The Daily Item reported.

Police searched the house and the body of Jones was found in an upstairs bedroom next to the bed and covered in multiple blankets, authorities said.

Jones also had diaper pads placed under her body and police said the walls and ceiling were splattered in blood.

Officers did not tell Depka what they found. He was placed into custody and questioned later at the police station. During that questioning, Depka told police he would inherit the house because his mother was dead, officials said.

During the investigation, police determined Jones was beaten to death with a baseball bat by her son.

In September 2023, Depka pleaded guilty to the third-degree murder of his mother.

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On Nov. 20, Depka appeared before Northumberland County President Judge Paige Rosini and was sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison, The Daily Item reported.

Before delivering the sentence, Rosini asked Depka if he had anything to say and he said, “No.”