A mother and daughter from Pennsylvania, aged 52 and 35 respectively, have been apprehended on serious child abuse charges. The 12-year-old victim is the daughter and granddaughter of the two accused women. The arrests were made following an investigation that began in September 2024.
The investigation was initiated when the young girl was hospitalized with symptoms similar to seizures. During the hospital stay, it was revealed that the girl had been given 50 mg of Benadryl and 60 mg of melatonin prior to the onset of her symptoms. This information led to a deeper probe into the child’s living conditions.
Medical professionals who treated the girl during her hospitalization noted visible signs of injuries such as bruises and scars, which were consistent with being restrained to a bed. The girl confirmed to the police that she was frequently tied to her bed, a situation she described as painful and infuriating. She also disclosed that she was forced to relieve herself while restrained, often for extended periods.
Further investigation revealed that the accused women had installed surveillance cameras in the girl’s room to prevent her from escaping. The abuse also included forcing the girl to eat cat food, a fact that was admitted by the mother during a phone call with a witness. The witness also reported that the mother expressed her dislike for restraining her daughter but felt pressured to do so by her own mother.
The girl’s weight had reportedly dropped to 50 lbs as a result of the abuse. Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce expressed his outrage at the incident, stating that the abuse was a violation to every mother, grandmother, and respectable person. He voiced his shock that the very people the child should have been able to trust were her tormentors.
The accused women face multiple charges, including aggravated assault of a victim under 13, conspiracy, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, and tampering with evidence. They are currently being held on a $125,000 cash bail at Luzerne County Correctional Facility and are scheduled to appear in court on May 6.