A new house of horror in the United States? Seven children were discovered living in "deplorable conditions" in West Rockhill Township, a town on the outskirts of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, several US media reported.
At the family home "the officers noted deplorable living conditions" and speak in their report of the "insalubrity and dangerousness" of the premises.
30 miles north of Philadelphia in Pennridge,Bucks County, 7 kids found living in trailer home that had padlock on refrigerator"due to family having little money & the children eating the food." All malnourished, NONE going to school & they didn't even know their own birthdays.1/2 pic.twitter.com/8xeJVz0XMv
— Steve Keeley (@KeeleyFox29) May 25, 2023
The case dates back to April 23. Pennridge Regional Police are alerted that children are entering an abandoned trailer. The officers intervened and brought three children back to their home, which was next to the trailer. Among them were two girls aged 12 and 14, local media outlet WPVI reported.
They then notice the insalubrity of the house and certain points alert them, such as the padlocked fridge. According to CNN, the mother says the device was put in place because the children were "stealing" food and calls them "trash cans on legs" in front of the police.
Feces, maggots in hair and malnutrition
The police then returned to the scene with social services officers. They then discover the presence of seven children living in unsanitary conditions, aged between 4 and 16. Two dozen rats were found in a cage inside the house, but also other animals such as dogs or snakes, as well as fecal matter in several places.
The seven children were removed from their parents' custody and taken to hospital. The authorities then found that "none of the seven children had ever been to school and lacked basic knowledge, such as their birthday." They also show some anxiety and explain that they do not like being around other people.
According to medical assessments, these children are underweight, visibly malnourished and their hygiene is very poor. WPVI is about a child with maggots in his hair.
The parents are charged with seven counts of endangering the well-being of children.