FAYETTE COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) — Legal actions have been initiated against two individuals following the discovery of five children confined in what Pennsylvania State Police referred to as a “dungeon-like” room.
James Kahl Jr., 65, and Carly Kahl, 40, both of Fairbank, were charged on Wednesday with felony counts including endangerment of children and aggravated assault, according to online court documents. They are also facing five misdemeanor counts for recklessly endangering another person.
Investigations by the Pennsylvania State Police indicate that their five children, aged between 5 and 14, were found in appalling conditions during an early August visit to their Redstone Township residence. This visit was part of a joint operation with Fayette County Children and Youth Services, as outlined in the criminal report.
Upon entering the home, State Police observed there were no beds, windows covered up, feces smeared on bedroom walls, and a scarcity of clothing and food.
The door to the children’s room was locked externally, keeping the children inside both day and night, investigators stated. There were three deadbolt locks on the door’s exterior, and no handle inside, making escape impossible for the children, per the Troopers’ account.
“This room functioned as a dungeon,” State Police said in court documents. There were also video cameras allegedly hardwired to James’ room.
To remove the children, a formal order was necessary since James reportedly refused to take the locks off when approached by officers and a CYS worker. Once rescued, the children were placed in the care of CYS.
Troopers said the children told them during interviews how James would allegedly force Carly to use a stun gun on one of the children as punishment. Also, troopers said they were told how James allegedly smoked marijuana all day long and never took care of the children.
When a search warrant was served Wednesday, the complaint shows that troopers found a “Jolt Self Defense Stun Gun,” a replica pistol, a video surveillance camera, drugs, and paraphernalia.
The couple was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Michael Defino Jr., and taken to Fayette County Prison, where their bail was both denied, court records show. James and Carly both await preliminary hearings scheduled for Sept. 17.
