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

Teen Receives Sentence for Killing Younger Stepbrother in Shooting Incident

Left: Haegan Sagers (Duchesne County Sheriff”s Office). Right: Malaki Porter (GoFundMe). The…

BD&J: Personal Injury Lawyers in Beverly Hills

When seeking justice for an injury, whether a fracture or a traumatic…

Refusal to Dispose of Trash Leads to Shooting at McDonald’s

Inset: Kathy Bledsoe (Belleville Police Department). Background: The McDonald’s located at 125…

Police Report: Man Purchased Body Bag on Amazon One Week Prior to Alleged Murder

Insets, left to right: Audrik Matevosian, Robert Boyajian (Maderna County Sheriff’s Office).…

Florida Resident Accused of Murdering Mother and Disposing of Her Body in Garbage Chute

A 40-year-old man from Florida has been accused of murdering his retired…

Florida Optometrist Accused of Murdering Former Spouse

A Florida ophthamologist has been charged with the murder of his wife…

Police Report: Teen Mom Allegedly Leaves Daughter in Hot Car to Watch ‘Smurfs’

Inset: Tipora Merriex (Lake City Police Department). Background: The Regal Cinema 90…

Luciano Reported His Daughter Abducted; She Was Discovered Dead in a Pond

A man whose nine-year-old daughter was found dead in a pond after…

Caregiver Accused of Keeping Woman in Unsanitary Conditions: Police Report

Inset: Melanie Hess (St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office). Background: The St. Lucie…

Additional Suspect Indicted in Scheme to Smuggle 140kg of Cocaine into Queensland

A second man has been charged in connection with an alleged plot…

Bodega Clerk’s Conviction for 1979 Etan Patz Case Overturned

A New York appeals court on Monday overturned the conviction of a…

Police Report: Man Lived with Deceased Wife’s Body for a Month Before Discovery

Inset: Image of Charles Byrd (courtesy of Bexar County Sheriff’s Office). Background:…