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

Son Charged with Murder After New Mexico Mother’s Dismembered Body Discovered in Freezer

In a disturbing case out of New Mexico, authorities have arrested a…

Dramatic CCTV Footage Captures Man’s Abduction in Sydney

Shocking CCTV has emerged of the moment a man was allegedly abducted…

Shocking Family Tragedy: Father Fatally Shoots Son Amid Heated Argument – Police Report

Left inset: Durante Tolliver (Fulton County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Durante Schofield…

Brave Employee Battles for Life After Rescuing Passengers in UK Train Stabbing Incident

A man is being hailed as a hero after intervening during a…

Police Report: Man Attempts to Follow Woman Home from Target

Inset: Joshua York (Greene County Jail). Background: Target in Springfield, Missouri, where…

Parents Face Heartbreak as Hospital Staff Dismiss Concerns Over Deceased 9-Day-Old Infant

Left: Z’ibreyea S. Parker. Right: Hilary Johnson II (Norfolk Police Department). Inset:…

Former News Anchor Arrested for Allegedly Killing 80-Year-Old Therapist Mother: Police Report

Inset: Angelynn Mock (Sedgwick County Jail). Background: Cops in Wichita, Kansas, investigate…

Fugitive Found: Oklahoma Sex Offender Discovered Alive 13 Years After Faking Death

An Oklahoma man who faked his own death to evade authorities has…

Teen Discovered in Basement Box After Snapchat Encounter: Attorney General Reports

Inset: Ki-Shawn Crumity (Allegheny County Jail). Background: The Pennsylvania home where Ki-Shawn…

Family Initiates Legal Action Against Royal Caribbean Following Tragic Overboard Incident Involving Intoxicated Mother

A lawsuit has been initiated against Royal Caribbean by the family of…

Gainesville Heist: Woman Caught Red-Handed Stealing Home Depot Plants and Supplies

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Authorities took Carol Craig Sweat, 60, into…

Child Found in ‘Cooler’ Following Alleged Murder by Parents and Grandmother: District Attorney Reports

Inset: Isaiah H. (KTLA/YouTube). Background: The California apartment complex where Destiny Harrison…