A COUPLE has been arrested after their five children were found living in dungeon-like rooms with boarded-up windows and feces covering the walls, cops said.
James Kahl, 65, and Carly Kahl, 41, have been accused of monitoring their children, all aged 14 and under, with cameras as they starved in the flea-ridden Pennsylvania home.
James Kahl, 65, and his wife were arrested after their five children were allegedly found living in disgusting conditions
Carly Kahl, 41, is accused of punishing one of the children with a taser
Authorities said deadbolts were put on the door and that cameras monitored the captured children
State troopers descended on the home in Fayette County, outside of Pittsburgh, on August 8 after a family member complained about the “deplorable conditions,” court documents seen by CBS affiliate KDKA state.
Cops said the five children, including a five-year-old, were allegedly trapped in their room by James all night and during parts of the day.
The kids had little clothing, no beds, and survived on limited food, Pennsylvania State Police say.
There were three deadbolts on the door and no door handles so the bedrooms could act as a “dungeon” where the children were trapped, authorities said.
“It is sickening. That is the only word to describe it. It’s sickening,” state trooper Ally Wilson said.
Authorities removed the children from the home and safely placed them into the care of the Fayette County Children and Youth Services.
On Wednesday, cops obtained a search warrant and returned to the home to arrest the couple.
Video of the arrest shows James looking shocked as he’s escorted in cuffs while wearing winter-themed pajama pants and a white t-shirt that said “catch the spirit.”
Carly, who was wearing a bright red t-shirt, kept her head down and looked stone-faced as she was escorted into the police car.
After searching the house, they allegedly uncovered a replica pistol, drugs, and drug paraphernalia, according to the warrant.
DISTURBING COMMENT
James told case workers that he wouldn’t remove the deadbolts from the bedroom doors “for any reason” when they visited, a criminal complaint seen by NBC affiliate WPXI states.
In interviews with the children, cops allegedly learned that James smoked marijuana all day and refused to take care of the kids.
Carly was also accused of using a taser on one of the children as punishment.
Fayette County District Attorney Michael Auble commended the brave family member for reporting the sick couple to the authorities.
James allegedly smoked marijuana all day and refused to take care of the children
The couple was arrested weeks after officials yanked the children from the home
He also congratulated state police for continuing the investigations “long after these children were removed to make the arrest.”
“I can’t imagine living in a household like what we saw,” Aubele told reporters.
James and Carly have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment.
Officers who witnessed the house of horrors are hoping that the parents get a significant punishment for their alleged crimes.
“I’m hoping that these parents go to jail and they answer for what they’ve done,” Wilson said.
