Three people were charged and jailed after a young child was discovered wandering the streets in Freedom Township.
Zoe Elise Zungali, 31, Dominic Andrew Zungali, 31, and Gillian Bem, 18, were charged with child and animal abuse after a neighbor in East Freedom alerted police.
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According to the criminal complaints, Freedom Township police responded to Cream Hollow Road and Houtz Drive in East Freedom on Friday evening, July 18, after a witness walking his dog discovered a shoeless toddler wandering the street.
According to the witness, the toddler was found shoeless and drenched in urine. After being called, authorities investigated and discovered that many children were living in horrible conditions in a nearby residence.
According to investigators, the five youngsters, ages 2 to 7, were zip-tied to cages and imprisoned for up to 20 hours every day. Charging records indicate that there was even a routine. Following each meal, the youngsters were supposedly returned to their cages.
In addition to the “horrific conditions,” cops reported that several dogs were present and neglected. Police reported finding doorknobs removed and gates tied shut, preventing the children from leaving. According to the lawsuit, there was no running water in the house, and animal feces were located throughout the living rooms.
According to court filings, one officer purchased McDonald’s Happy Meals for all of the youngsters, who appeared to “aggressively eat out of hunger.” It was also said that the toddler spotted strolling the street attempted to dig out of their room via the walls before exiting through a window.
One youngster was transported to UPMC Children’s Hospital for specialized care. The youngsters have now been placed in foster care.
Blair County District Attorney Pete Weeks issued the following statement on the situation:
“We’re very grateful to the police and first responders and the individual who called 911 that those children are now safe with the assistance of children, youth and families. Certainly, everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. But, we take these charges very seriously at the district attorney’s office, and we look forward to continuing to work with the police and other first responders and CYF to fully prosecute the three individuals charged.”
The Zungalis were incarcerated in Blair County Prison, with bail set at $150,000. Bem was detained in Blair County Prison, and his bail was set at $75,000.
All three have preliminary hearings scheduled for July 31.
