Related Post
(Trends Wide) — Pennsylvania police detained two parents after finding their seven children living in what authorities described as “unsanitary” and “unsafe” living conditions, including caged rats and feces on the floor of the home.
According to a police affidavit filed on May 19, authorities responded on April 23 to a tip that three children entered an abandoned trailer in West Rockhill Township, 40 miles north of Philadelphia.
When the police found the children, they spoke to the parents and returned them to their home, next to the abandoned caravan.
There, agents observed “deplorable living conditions” and a padlocked refrigerator, according to authorities.
The mother, Crystal Robertson, told police she had to padlock the refrigerator because the children were “‘stealing’ everything and she referred to the children as ‘legged garbage disposals,'” according to the affidavit.
Parents face felony charges, police say
When officers later returned to the home after filing a report with the Bucks County Child and Youth Social Services Agency, they discovered four more children inside.
One of the rooms had approximately two dozen rats in cages, according to the affidavit. Feces were found on the floor in another area of the house.
“There was also a bad smell… and various bugs,” the affidavit read. It was noted that “two dogs, two turtles, two rabbits, snakes, toads, and a four-foot reptile” were also in the home, the affidavit said.
The children were taken into protective custody and taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
A subsequent investigation revealed that none of the seven children had attended school and lacked basic knowledge, according to authorities. They also displayed social anxiety, according to police.
Authorities noted that medical evaluations concluded that the children were “clinically underweight and malnourished.”
“The boys’ personal hygiene was also a concern, so two of the boys had to shave their hair off due to being too matted,” according to a news release from the Pennridge Regional Police Department.
The father, Shane William Robertson, and the mother were charged with seven felonies each for endangering the welfare of the children, according to the statement. They both posted the required 10% of the $10,000 bail, according to police.
Trends Wide was unable to contact either parent on Saturday and it is unknown if they have legal representation.
