Centre County man gets prison sentence in connection with 2 drug overdose deaths
A Centre County man was sentenced Tuesday to at least two years in state prison for buying the drugs that led to the overdose deaths of his mother and fiance.
Jonathan M. Baird, 40, of College Township, was sentenced by Centre County President Judge Jonathan Grine to no more than four years in prison.
He pleaded guilty in November to two misdemeanor counts of involuntary manslaughter. Six charges, including two felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death, were dropped as part of the agreement.
A message left with Centre County Deputy Public Defender Patrick Klena was not immediately returned.
Linda S. Trefelner, 59, and Renee A. Hillen, 33, were found in cardiac arrest in March 2022, Spring Township police wrote in an affidavit of probable cause. Trefelner died of fentanyl toxicity, while Hillen died from a combination of drugs, including fentanyl.
According to her obituary, Trefelner worked as a registered nurse. She was remembered as a “truly devoted, loving, and caring wife, mother and grandmother.” She was survived by her husband and three children.
Hillen was employed at Gabriel Brothers at the Nittany Mall, her obituary read. She enjoyed dancing and being outdoors, especially while fishing. She was survived by her father and a daughter.
Baird purchased the drugs from Timothy J. King, 38, of Westmoreland County, the day before the women overdosed, township police wrote.
King pleaded guilty in July to two felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death. After apologizing, he was sentenced in September to five to 10 years in state prison by Centre County Judge Julia Rater. He received credit for more than three months served.
King is incarcerated at Camp Hill state prison. Baird is incarcerated at Rockview state prison.