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Ardner pleads guilty to corruption of minors, other charges from two criminal cases

LOCK HAVEN -- Gwen R. Ardner, 42, of Avis, pleaded guilty to five criminal offenses related to two separate cases this week.

According to a release from District Attorney Dave Strouse's office via Crimewatch, Ardner pleaded to the charges on Tuesday morning in front of President Judge Craig Miller.

Ardner entered guilty pleas to three counts of corruption of minors, each a first degree misdemeanor, admitting to each of the following factual allegations, all occurring in early to mid January of 2026:

-- Ardner encouraged a 16-year-old female juvenile to run away from her father's home.

-- Ardner gave advice to the 16-year-old female juvenile about how to hide drugs and tobacco products so that the juvenile's father wouldn't find them in the future.

-- Ardner engaged in a conversation and negotiation with the 16-year-old female juvenile for Ardner to purchase marijuana and tobacco vape devices for the juvenile, including the arrangement of delivery to the juvenile, who was grounded in her home at the time.

The release stated Ardner also pled guilty to one count of furnishing drug free urine, a third degree misdemeanor; and one count of possession of instrument of crime, a first degree misdemeanor, stemming from her Feb. 13 attempt to use a bottle and plastic tubing apparatus affixed to her body to pass a drug test mandated by a pre-existing probation sentence she had been serving.

The fake urine and apparatus were discovered at the Clinton County Correctional Facility after Ardner had been detained for alleged probation violations, the release said.

Ardner also faces revocation of her probation supervision for a 2024 case where she pled guilty to conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance, a felony.

All three cases have been scheduled for sentencing in October, and a pre-sentenced report was ordered to be conducted by Judge Miller.