When Paige Hufnagel was a senior in high school, she tore her ACL and meniscus while playing as a varsity starter on the North Allegheny basketball team.
Hufnagel was prescribed opioids to cope with pain caused by the career-ending injury.
But those same painkillers led to addiction and a downward spiral that left Hufnagel in an abusive relationship and, ultimately, with a dead child.
Robbie, 2, the son she had with her then-boyfriend, James Kraft, died of fentanyl poisoning on May 12, 2022, in their Munhall apartment.
On Monday, Allegheny County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer Satler was unmoved by Hufnagel’s history, the letters on her behalf, or the tear-filled statement she read in court.
She was also not swayed by Hufnagel’s sobriety — which hit one year on Dec. 3.
“The circumstances of this care are so egregious they literally shock the conscience,” Satler said. “It would have been so easy, ma’am, for you to save your son’s life.”
Hufnagel could have asked her friends or family for help, the judge said. She could have called 911. She could have just taken her three sons out of the apartment strewn with thousands of empty stamp bags and syringes.
But Hufnagel did none of those things, and Robbie died.
“They would have been safer standing out on the street,” Satler said. “I consider you to be a lethal threat to any child in your care.”
She ordered Hufnagel, 31, to serve four to eight years in prison after pleading guilty in September to three counts of endangering the welfare of children. She also pleaded guilty to DUI after she relapsed on Dec. 2, 2023.
The prison term is to be followed by 10 years probation.
‘She lost everything’
During Kraft’s jury trial over the summer, the jury heard extensive evidence about the condition of the home the day that police arrived.
His empty stamp bags were strewn throughout the apartment, including near donuts, cookies and the children’s toys.
The jury found Kraft guilty of third-degree murder and three counts each of endangering the welfare of children and reckless endangerment.
Satler ordered him to serve 25 to 50 years in prison.
During Monday’s hearing, Hufnagel’s mom and fiance testified on her behalf.
Christina Hufnagel told the court her daughter is kind, caring and hard working.
She expected to play basketball in college but could not after her injury. She went to Penn State Behrend, Christina Hufnagel said, but left after just one semester.
Soon after, she realized her daughter had become addicted to opioids.
They tried rehab several times, but then when Hufnagel began dating Kraft, the drug use worsened, her mom said. He was controlling, she continued.
“I’m sure her life was freaking hell,” Christina Hufnagel said. “I feel awful I wasn’t really there for her. I didn’t know this was going on.”
She said her daughter is ashamed and remorseful.
“She admits she did wrong, judge. She is so sorry for that,” her mother said. “She lost everything.
“I’m just begging you to let her go home to her boys.”
Lawrence Denne told the court he met Hufnagel in July 2023. They have since become engaged and have a son together.
When they first met, Denne said, Hufnagel was depressed, lonely and angry.
But, he continued, he saw the good in her.
“I believed in her when others called her hopeless,” Denne said.
He described to Satler some of the abuse Hufnagel experienced in her previous relationship with Kraft. Denne also said that Hufnagel gave birth to their son while incarcerated.
She has gotten to see him only a few times since then.
He and Hufnagel’s mother asked for a sentence that would allow her to continue to be a mom to her three remaining sons.
“Her greatest punishment is something she already lives with every day of her life,” Denne said.
Her lawyer, Jonathan Orie, agreed.
“Every day, she holds herself responsible, morally, for the death of her child,” he said.
Unexpected detour
Hufnagel described growing up with a good childhood in a loving family.
She excelled at sports.
“I never expected to become an addict ever,” Hufnagel said. “That injury changed my life forever.”
She told the court she regretted never having left Kraft and knew if she had, Robbie would be alive.
Hufnagel also said that trying to grieve in jail was nearly impossible.
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When she finally was released on bond in February 2023, she said she was making strides to improve.
But on Nov. 28, 2023, Hufnagel said her insurance was cut off. She no longer could receive her psychiatric medications, and she couldn’t attend her outpatient therapy appointments.
Four days later, she relapsed and overdosed.
Since that day, though, Hufnagel said, she has worked toward recovery.
“I got out of my self-pity and altogether changed my life,” she said. “Today I live for Robbie and my other children.
“Today I choose to be a survivor.”