13 people charged for trespassing at former Laurelton Center

Laurelton, Pa. — Police say they charged 13 people who illegally entered the former Laurelton Center complex in Hartley Township, Union County.

State police at Milton were alerted shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday, March 16 to several suspects entering the property along Old Turnpike Road. The suspects ranged in age from 23 to 17. The suspects were from State College, several from the greater Philadelphia area, and a few were from Illinois, according to the police report.

All 13 suspects were charged with simple trespass through the office of District Judge Jeffrey Mensch in Mifflinburg.

The Laurelton Center has been closed since 1998. The complex has been of interest to people looking to explore closed or abandoned buildings. The complex, which is close to 266 acres, previously had been used as a state hospital for the mentally disabled. The center was sold for over $1 million in March 2021 to Jay Fulkroad of Juniata County, who owns a construction business in McAlisterville. Fulkroad has not disclosed what his plans are for the complex.

In July, one of the cottages was destroyed when a fire broke out. Fire departments from Union, Snyder, and Centre counties responded to the two-alarm fire.

Related Reading: Laurelton Center purchased for $1 million by Juniata County business owner

Two-alarm fire damages former Laurelton Center