Mom Accused of Murdering Son, 5, After Making Him Drink from Toilet Testifies that Husband Was Responsible

Lauren Maloberti is currently on trial for murder in connection with the 2023 death of her 5-year-old son, Landon

NEED TO KNOW

• A woman accused of killing her adopted son testified that her husband was actually responsible for the 5-year-old’s injuries
• Lauren Maloberti is charged with first-degree murder
• Landon Maloberti suffered brain bleeding and swelling while he also had bruises on his head, face, arms, legs, back and abdomen

A Pennsylvania woman on trial for the alleged murder of her 5-year-old adopted son testified that her husband was actually the one responsible for the boy's fatal injuries.

Lauren Maloberti, 36, is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the 2023 death of Landon Maloberti.

Maloberti's trial began May 5. TribLive and WTAE previously reported that prosecutors alleged that Landon was forced to drink from a toilet, forced to look for food in the kitchen, humiliated by his parents and isolated from others.

In January 2023, Landon was hospitalized with brain bleeding, swelling and bruises on his head, face, arms, legs, back and abdomen, CBS News reported. He died days later.

TribLive reported that Maloberti testified on Wednesday, May 13, that her husband, Jacob Maloberti, had inflicted the wounds that led to Landon's death.

Per the paper, Maloberti told the court that she believed Jacob had beaten Landon behind a locked door and then prevented her from getting the boy medical attention.

“I heard Landon screaming," she said, per the outlet. "He had a pretty significant mark on his face.”

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Jacob Maloberti is also facing a criminal homicide charge and is being prosecuted separately, according to TribLive, WTAE and WGAL.

WTAE reported that Jacob testified for the prosecution during Maloberti's trial. He reportedly said he'd never harmed Landon and was under the belief that his injuries were caused by a medical incident — and only learned the true nature of them after he was arrested.

"When we went to court one time, she said she had something to tell me, but she couldn't say anything," Jacob reportedly testified. "I always thought it was medical."

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