3 arrested at Armstrong County bar for child endangerment, cops say

Three members a family who work at the same Armstrong County bar were arrested before midnight Saturday on child endangerment charges, according to Kiski Township police.

Police Sgt. Thomas Dessell reported that Harley Rome, 23; Frank Branan, 29, both of Vandergrift, and Tawyna Palermo, 47, of North Apollo, were charged with child endangerment after police responded to a complaint that “a small infant was being neglected” inside the R Bar at 418 16th St. in North Apollo.

According to Dessell, police found Rome and Branan’s two-week-old infant and their one-year-old child inside the establishment while the couple was working as bartenders and both “were intoxicated.”

Dessell alleges that Palermo, who is the grandmother, is the bar’s manager and was also under the influence of alcohol.

Officers said none of the three were properly caring for the infants while working.

According to the report, Rome and Branan were both charged with felony child endangerment before District Judge James Andring in Leechburg and were ordered held in the Armstrong County Jail.

Dessell said the children were released early Saturday into the custody of a relative.

He said children and youth services officials in both Armstrong and Westmoreland counties were notified.

“Westmoreland was also notified because the parents both live in that county,” Dessell said.

Palermo was charged via summons. She could not be reached for comment.