Mom of 2 Kids Allegedly Found in ‘Dungeon’ at Dad’s Home, Including Nonverbal Son with Autism, Says She Is ‘Heartbroken’

After two of her children were allegedly found in their father’s home, in what police called a “dungeon,” a mother said she is “heartbroken” and wants justice for her kids.

Rachel Silbaugh is the mom of two of the five children allegedly found locked in a room with “deplorable living conditions” in a Pennsylvania home in August, according to ABC affiliate WTAE.

Authorities reportedly found the children living in a Redstone Township house with no beds, boarded-up windows, feces on the bedroom walls, fleas, and a limited supply of food and clothing, according to a news release from Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).

The couple, James Russell Kahl and Carly Kahl, were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, according to the PSP. Carly, 41, is the mother of the other three children, Silbaugh told WTAE. James, 65, is the father of all five children.

According to the PSP, the children were safely removed from the home and placed in the care of Child and Youth Services (CYS). Silbaugh said she wants to speak up for all of them.

“I am heartbroken over this,” she told WTAE.

“My son isn’t able to talk, and I will be his voice and a voice for my daughter until the day that I can’t be their voice anymore,” she added.

Silbaugh said that after she was diagnosed with a serious medical condition, a judge ordered 50-50 custody between her and James.

She said her son, who has autism, is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair due to a medical condition, according to WTAE. She told the outlet that she had previously noticed signs of abuse and had reported concerns to CYS multiple times.

Silbaugh also filed protection-from-abuse orders against James as early as 2016. One order reportedly said he “threatened to lock one of the children in the garage if she did not shut up and stop crying,” WTAE reported, citing court records.

“I saw marks on my children when I was still getting visitations,” she said, adding that her “son’s head was busted open at one point when he was still in a wheelchair.”

Silbaugh told WTAE that James has told the children that she is dead, which is why the family is doing a slow reunification process.

Police said they were first called to the Kahls’ Redstone Township home on Aug. 8 to help Fayette County Children and Youth Services after a report that children were living in “deplorable conditions,” according to the PSP.

The children were between the ages of 5 and 14, the PSP said. Authorities alleged that the room acted like a “dungeon,” with video cameras wired to the father’s room.

Troopers also found three deadbolt locks on the outside of the door and no door handle, which trapped the children inside.

Police allegedly also found a stun gun, a replica pistol, a surveillance camera, drugs, and drug paraphernalia at the home.