Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lower Pottsgrove Township Police Chief Richard Bell announced the arrest of a man for first-degree murder. A new release announced that 84-year-old Barton Seltmann was arrested for the first-degree murder of his wife, 85-year-old Margaret Seltmann, in their residence on North Keim Road in Lower Pottsgrove Township.

Lower Pottsgrove Township Police responded to a 911 call from Barton Seltmann regarding an unresponsive female at 2:26 PM on November 28, 2023. Upon arrival, police found the defendant on the rear porch with blood on his clothes, hands, and face. Officers found Margaret Seltmann inside the residence obviously deceased.

The defendant was transported to Pottstown Hospital to receive treatment for a hand injury. A joint investigation was carried out by Lower Pottsgrove Police and Montgomery County Detectives. It revealed that Margaret and Barton Seltmann had been arguing about money for the veterinary care of their cat when the argument turned physical.

Authorities say evidence at the scene suggested that the victim was struck multiple times in the head while lying on the kitchen floor. The autopsy performed by Dr. Julia de la Garza with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office concluded that the cause of death was blunt force injuries to the head and the manner of death was homicide.

Barton Seltmann was arraigned and is being held without bail at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility.