The Lehigh Valley foster mother accused of helping to kill and dismember her adopted teenage daughter is now charged for allegedly collecting public support meant for the girl’s care.
Sara Packer, 42, is headed for trial in Bucks County Court in the homicide of 14-year-old Grace Packer. She waived her right on Friday to a preliminary hearing on the charges against her, amended to include misapplication of entrusted property and property of government or financial institutions, said her attorney, Doylestown-based Keith J. Williams.
The next step in the case is scheduled March 10: Sara Packer’s formal arraignment in Bucks County Court on the 20 charges against her. That is likely, however, to be postponed, Williams said.
Her co-defendant, Jacob P. Sullivan, 44, is still scheduled to face a preliminary hearing, set for Feb. 24 in county court in Doylestown. Both are charged with homicide, abuse of corpse and kidnapping in Grace’s death, with Sullivan additionally charged with rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse.
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Sullivan allegedly told authorities he assaulted and killed Grace over the course of 18 hours last July 8 in an apartment outside Quakertown. He and Sara Packer then preserved her corpse for weeks in cat litter in the home, while Packer maintained the cover story that Grace had gone missing, according to the office of Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub.
Grace’s dismembered remains were found Oct. 31 by hunters in Bear Creek Township, Luzerne County. Sara Packer was seen on video buying a saw and two extra blades at a tractor supply store in Richland Township, Bucks County, authorities said.
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Sara Packer is accused of continuing to collect Grace’s Social Security and foster care payments, totaling $3,560, after the teen’s death, Packer’s attorney said.
Sullivan and Packer took a suicide pact but both survived attempts at overdosing on drugs, authorities said.
They remain in Bucks County prison without the possibility of bail.
Packer previously worked as an adoption supervisor for the Northampton County Department of Human Services and fostered children through Lehigh County, as well. Foster children placed in Packer’s care reported abuse was rempant.
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.
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