Andrew Jeffers Remains Jailed in Potter County Child Homicide Case; No New Developments
Coudersport, PA – January 2, 2026 In a case that has shaken the rural community of Potter County, Pennsylvania, 30-year-old Andrew Schuyler Jeffers remains incarcerated without bail following his December 2025 arrest on charges related to the death of 5-year-old Waylon William Shutt.
Jeffers, a resident of Ulysses, faces a slew of felony counts, including first-, second-, and third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple aggravated assault charges, stemming from alleged assaults on the young boy in July 2024.
The tragic events unfolded between June 29 and July 2, 2024, at a residence on the 200 block of A Frame Road in Sweden Township, where Jeffers was reportedly supervising Shutt and three other children.
According to state police reports, Jeffers inflicted multiple assaults on Shutt, who suffered from cerebral palsy, resulting in severe intracranial hemorrhages.
On July 2, the child was rushed to UPMC Cole Hospital in Coudersport in cardiac arrest before being airlifted to Janet Weis Children’s Hospital in Danville.
Despite medical efforts, Shutt succumbed to complications from his brain injuries on July 22, 2024, with the Montour County Coroner’s Office ruling the death a homicide.
The investigation, initiated by a suspected child abuse report from Potter County Children and Youth Services on July 5, 2024, involved interviews with witnesses who corroborated prior assaults on the victim.
Authorities noted a significant delay between the incident and Jeffers’ arrest—spanning over a year—attributed to the thorough gathering of evidence, including autopsy findings and statements from those involved.
Jeffers was apprehended by Pennsylvania State Police on December 10, 2025, and arraigned the following day before District Judge Bryan Phelps, who denied bail in line with state protocols for such serious offenses.
In addition to the murder-related charges, Jeffers faces multiple counts of endangering the welfare of children and recklessly endangering another person, reflecting the alleged risks posed to the other children under his supervision.
This is not Jeffers’ first encounter with the law in Potter County; court records show a 2012 jail escape while serving as a trustee and additional charges in 2021 related to criminal attempts.
However, no direct links between his prior history and the current case have been publicly established. As of January 2, 2026, no new developments have emerged in the case. A preliminary hearing, tentatively set for December 23, 2025, appears to have occurred without publicized results or further announcements from prosecutors or defense counsel. Potter County District Attorney’s Office and state police have not responded to requests for comment on the status, leaving the community awaiting the next steps in the judicial process.
Legal experts note that such cases can progress slowly due to the gravity of the charges and the need for comprehensive evidence review. Shutt’s death has prompted local discussions on child welfare and supervision protocols, though no broader policy changes have been reported. Family members of the victim have not made public statements, and efforts to support affected parties remain private. The case underscores the vulnerabilities of children with disabilities, as advocates call for heightened awareness in rural areas like Potter County. Jeffers is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and the investigation remains active.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available through official channels, such as the Pennsylvania Unified Judicial System portal.
