OIL CITY, Pa. (EYT) — An Oil City woman is facing child endangerment charges for allegedly neglecting medical issues of her two juvenile sons.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed criminal charges against 31-year-old Kwaylene Annette Lowers, of Oil City.

According to a criminal complaint, Kwaylene Lowers, allegedly allowed multiple health and physical wellness issues of her juvenile sons go untreated. This course of conduct included missing ophthalmologic appointments and general disregard and neglect of obvious dental issues during the 2016 and 2017 calendar years.

On August 3, 2017, Lower’s one son was seen by an ophthalmologist in Erie for treatment of his visual impairment. The ophthalmologist’s report indicates that based on his examination, the issues causing vision loss suffered by the juvenile were present for quite some time. The earlier the issues would have been identified and adequately addressed, the higher likelihood of improvement and hopefully, no permanent vision loss. Furthermore, the obvious severe misalignment in the eye should have spurred the need for evaluation and treatment at a much earlier age. Based on the severe misalignment of the right eye, the juvenile is now to be considered legally blind in that eye, the complaint states.

On August 10 and August 16, 2017, Lower’s sons were examined and treated by a dentist in Hermitage. The examination revealed multiple dental issues in each child, requiring extensive orthodontic procedures, particularly given the children’s ages.

Venango County Children and Youth Services (CYS) provided the records to Patrolman Culp, of the Oil City Police Department. The dental records indicate that both children were sedated for the procedures. Each child received composite rears and stainless steel crowns.

On February 4, 2018, Patrolman Culp conducted an interview with Lowers at the Oil City Police Department. Lowers acknowledged the medical conditions of each child. Multiple times during the interview, she allegedly stated that it was her fault that her children have these afflictions. Furthermore, when she was told that based on medical records available, there is a clear history of medical neglect and general failure, she allegedly agreed, according to the complaint.

Based on the investigation, Lowers was arraigned at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, February 26, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office.

She faces the following charges:

Endangering Welfare of Children — Parent/Guardian/Other Commits Offense, Felony 3 (two counts)

She is currently free on $50,000.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 7, with Judge Fish presiding.