A couple was charged after Pennsylvania State Police reportedly discovered five children living in “deplorable conditions” in a Redstone Township, Penn. home.
James Russell Kahl, 65, and Carly Kahl, 41, face charges including endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, according to CBS affiliate KDKA.
Police were first called to the home on Aug. 8 to assist Fayette County Children and Youth Services after a report of children living in poor conditions, court documents cited by KDKA said. Authorities allegedly found the couple’s five children in a home along Willis Avenue with no beds, boarded-up windows, feces on the walls, fleas, and a limited supply of clothing and food.
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“It is sickening. That is the only word to describe it. It’s sickening,” Trooper Ally Wilson told the outlet.
The children, ages 5 to 14, were reportedly kept in a room described by police as a “dungeon,” with a video camera connected to the father’s room, according to WTAE.
“I can’t imagine living in a household like what we saw,” Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele said, per WPXI.
Authorities also found three deadbolt locks on the outside of the room door and no door handle, leaving the children trapped inside.
The Kahls were arrested on Wednesday after a search warrant was served, KDHA reports. Police allegedly discovered a stun gun, a replica pistol, a surveillance camera, drugs, and drug paraphernalia in the home.
The children were safely removed and placed in the care of Child and Youth Services (CYS), KDKA reported.
“We are very, very happy that a family member came forward and reported this to us. We are grateful to our Children and Youth Services for removing these children, and to our Belle Vernon state police, who continued the investigation after the children were removed and made the arrests today,” Aubele said, according to KDKA.
