Blackburn Center employee accused of obstructing custody order won't be prosecuted

Criminal charges were withdrawn Wednesday against a fourth Blackburn Center employee that police said obstructed efforts by state troopers to enforce an emergency custody order issued by a county judge.

The case against Eleonora M. Marsili, 65, will not be prosecuted.

“We support the actions of the Pennsylvania State Police in the execution of the search warrant to locate the minor child who was the subject of an emergency custody order,” Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office public information officer Melanie Jones said in a statement. “The paramount concern of the state troopers was the safety and well-being of the child, which is always a paramount concern of this office.”

It was unclear why prosecutors withdrew the case against Marsili 20 days after three other staffers who had been accused in the situation had their cases withdrawn. Marsili’s attorney did not immediately respond to a message.

The Blackburn Center, based in Greensburg, advocates on behalf of domestic violence victims and operates a 24-hour shelter for women and children. Police said in court papers that shelter staff Oct. 1 repeatedly prevented troopers from searching the facility to enforce emergency court-issued custody order. Police said they eventually pried open a door to enter the shelter.