Credit: Falls Township police
A 28-year-old Falls Township man has been charged with killing his mother, who had been reported missing.
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Sean Rivera was preliminary arraigned Monday morning before District Judge Jan Vislosky on charges of criminal homicide, kidnapping, kidnapping with intent to cause injury or terrorize, aggravated assault, possession with intent to deliver, possession of an instrument of crime, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, and reckless endangerment. He was held without bail due to the homicide charge.
Rivera, according to Falls Township police and the Bucks County Detectives, killed his mother – Carol Clark, 72, of Falls Township – on Easter Sunday. Her disappearance led to a search that was made public on Sunday evening.
According to court papers filed Monday morning, Rivera told investigators he purchased fentanyl and added it to Clark’s iced tea Saturday night. She became lethargic early Sunday and Rivera placed her in an SUV and took her to the former Frankford Friends building in the 4300 block of Waln Street in Philadelphia.
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At the site, Rivera moved Clark using her wheelchair into a shed on the property. He then shot her five times and covered her with a blue tarp. He also locked the shed with a lock purchased at the Home Depot in Falls Township, police said.
Early Monday morning, Falls Township police, Bucks County Detectives, and Philadelphia police went to the shed and found Clark deceased from gunshot wounds, authorities said.
Clark’s disappearance was brought to the attention of police Sunday morning when Rivera’s brother alerted them to an unfolding situation.
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Officers were called around 12:30 p.m. to the 500 block of Berwyn Road. They learned Rivera texted his brother, who lives in New York, “911,” police said.
Rivera allegedly told his brother Clark died and then stated she had a heart attack and was in a local hospital. Police said the brother checked the hospital and Clark had not been there.
Officers at the scene reported finding the house cluttered and described it as a “hoarder’s house.”
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Investigators began working throughout Easter afternoon and evening to locate Clark.
Clark reportedly told an investigator he was not concerned, but he alerted his brother because he should be worried.
Rivera’s brother told police it was odd his mother hadn’t texted him and missed breakfast with her grandson.
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Police said they tracked Clark’s cell phone to the area of Forrest Road and Sherwood Drive in Lower Makefield Township. A K-9 and drone search took place in the area.
A search warrant was executed at the Berwyn Road home and two firearms were retrieved with receipts linking them to Rivera, police said.
Officers also examined the SUV reportedly used to transport Clark to the city.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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