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.
