Police in Pennsylvania arrested the parents of seven children who were allegedly malnourished, and living in an unsanitary home.
On the afternoon of April, officers from the Pennridge Regional Police Department were dispatched to the 600 Block of Roseann Lane. A police report filed in May 19 stated that on April 23, two minors were reported to have entered an abandoned trailer. The police found two girls aged 12 and 14 who were unkempt. They lived in the trailer next door.
The officers were concerned for the girls and asked their parents Shawn Robertson and Crystal Robertson to show them their living arrangements.
The report states that the home was in “obvious disarray and disrepair.” Crystal claimed that the bicycle lock was on the refrigerator because there was little food in the house. She also called the children “garbage disposals” with legs.
A 16-year old girl was also discovered by the police at the home. Bucks County Children and Youth investigated the residence.
On further investigation, four additional children were discovered hidden in the back room. They included three girls aged 8, 10 and 4, as well as a boy aged 6. Shawn said he hadn’t told the officers about the other kids earlier because he “didn’t want to get into trouble,” according the report.
Investigators discovered unsanitary conditions in the house, including a bad smell, a dozen rats caged, and feces both on the blanket and the floor. The home was in need of repair and needed to be cleaned.
The report also states that “two dogs were found, as well as two turtles and two rabbits. There were also snakes, toads and a four foot reptile called a Tegu.”
The Robertsons have been arrested and are facing seven counts of endangering a child’s welfare. The Robertsons were arrested and charged with seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child.
The report found that all children, except one, were clinically undernourished. Two of the children had Covid-19 positive tests, two had low renal function, and three were diagnosed with Acute Viral Syndrome.
Two children required extensive dental treatment, two others needed corrective vision care, and two had to have their hair shaved off because of severe matting.
According to the report, it was also found that these children did not have a formal education, and had difficulty with reading, spelling and writing.
The report says that “they all displayed social anxiety, and revealed that they didn’t like to be in public or with other people.”
According to the police, both Shawn and Crystal Robertson posted 10% of a $10,000 bail. At this time, it’s unclear if the Robertsons have legal representation.
