5 Children Kept Tied in Cages Until 1 Escapes, Found By Neighbor
Share this @internewscast.com

Three individuals have been taken into custody and charged with child and animal abuse after authorities discovered five children living in appalling conditions in a residence in Pennsylvania.

The case came to light when one of the children managed to climb through a window and was spotted by a neighbor walking his dog, according to WTAJ. The child was barefoot and emitted a strong odor of urine, prompting the onlooker to alert the police.

Inside the residence, officers uncovered four additional children. All five children, ranging in age from 2 to 7 years old, were discovered zip-tied to cages, where they were kept for as long as 20 hours a day. They were only released for meals before being immediately secured back in their cages.

Investigators described conditions at the hom as “horrific,” noting that doorknobs were removed and gates tied shut so the children could not get out. There was no running water, and animal feces was found throughout the living areas.

Several pets found in the home were also neglected.

According to an affidavit, officers brought the children Happy Meals from McDonald’s, and the kids appeared to “aggressively eat out of hunger.” The child who had escaped the home had initially tried to dig through the walls before climbing out a window.

Zoe Elise Zungali, 31; Dominic Andrew Zungali, 31; and Gillian Bem, 18; were all charged with child abuse and animal abuse. Police did not explain the relationships among the Zungalis, Bem, and the children.

“We’re very grateful to the police and first responders and the individual who called 911 that those children are now safe with the assistance of children, youth and families,” Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks said.

The Zungalis were ordered held on $150,000 bails each, while Bem’s bail was set at half that. All three have preliminary hearings set for July 31.

The children have been placed in state custody.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police Investigate Incident Involving Teacher and Nonverbal 9-Year-Old Student

Background: Selmer Elementary School in Selmer, Tennessee (Google Maps). Inset: Meg Day…

Homeless Man Arrested for Assault with Stolen Guitar in Unexpected Downtown Incident

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities apprehended Charles Michael Treadway, 65, yesterday…

Brave Teen Intervenes to Protect Family: Mother and Daughter Stabbed in Shocking Incident, Police Report

Background: The Thunder Over Louisville show on April 18, 2026 (WLKY/YouTube). Inset…

Dispute Over Onion Rings at Steak ‘n’ Shake Escalates to Gunfire Incident

Background: News footage of the Steak ‘n’ Shake restaurant in Spanish Lake,…

Double Murder Suspect Shouts for Mother During Court Appearance

Courtroom footage of Reginald Louis Jackson yelling at the judge during his…

Shocking Verdict: Son Receives Sentence for Gruesome Matricide During Home Invasion

Inset: John Aylor. Background: Body cam footage from Aylor”s arrest after he…

Newberry Man Faces Additional Charge After Detective Links March-Seized Pistol to Stolen Gun Report

By Staff NEWBERRY, Fla. – A 23-year-old man, Kobe Deon Delima, faces…

Child Discovered on Roadway as Babysitter’s Troubling History Surfaces, Says District Attorney

Inset: Arissa Ward (Dauphin County Prison). Background: The Pennsylvania street where a…

Victorian Father Allegedly Threatens Airport Explosion, Causes Uproar in Courtroom

A Victorian father accused of threatening to blow up Perth Airport could…

Man Released on Bail Following Violent Incident that Hospitalized Police Officer

A 21-year-old man convicted of a brutal assault on a police officer…

Authorities Issue Warnings Against Four ‘Finfluencers’ on TikTok for Financial Advice

Australia’s financial regulatory body is intensifying its scrutiny of social media “finfluencers”…

Supreme Court Justices Thomas and Alito Clash in Uncommon Opinion Exchange

U.S. Associate Supreme Court Justices Samuel Alito, Jr., Clarence Thomas and Brett…