A couple from Redstone Township, Pennsylvania, have been arrested after authorities discovered five children living in what officials described as “deplorable” and “dungeon-like” conditions.
James Russell Kahl, 65, and Carly Kahl, 41, face multiple charges, including endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment. The arrests followed a police investigation into reports that the couple’s children, aged between five and 14, were being kept in severe neglect.
Authorities were called to the property, located around 46 miles south of Pittsburgh, last month after receiving information from a relative concerned about the children’s welfare. Upon arrival, investigators found conditions they described as shocking. Bedrooms had no beds, windows were boarded up, and walls were smeared with faeces. Fleas were present throughout the home, and food and clothing were in limited supply.
According to police, the father allegedly locked the children in their rooms from the outside, confining them for most of the day and night. One room, which authorities said functioned as a “dungeon”, was fitted with three deadbolt locks on the outside of the door and had no handle on the inside, preventing escape.
Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele stated that the room was under constant surveillance via hard-wired video cameras connected to another part of the house. “It appears these children were basically held in captivity,” he said. “There is no reason to be using a device like a stun gun, which is less lethal, not non-lethal, against a child.”
During a search of the property, police recovered a stun gun, a replica pistol, a surveillance camera, drugs, and drug paraphernalia. The discovery of the stun gun has raised further concerns about the treatment of the children.
State trooper Ally Wilson described the scene as “sickening”, adding that the conditions were among the worst she had encountered. The children have since been removed from the home and placed in the care of Child and Youth Services.
District Attorney Aubele praised the relative who reported the situation, as well as the agencies involved in the rescue and investigation. “We are very, very happy that a family member was willing to come forward and report this to us,” he said. “We are very happy with our Children and Youth Services, who removed these children, and our Belle Vernon state police, who continued this investigation long after the children were removed to make the arrest that they did today.”
Both James and Carly Kahl were taken into custody on Wednesday following the execution of a search warrant. They remain in detention pending further legal proceedings.
Mr Aubele noted that the case would be a “long process” given the severity of the allegations and the impact on the children. “I can’t imagine living in a household like what we saw,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing, and further charges may be brought as authorities continue to examine the evidence. The couple are expected to appear in court in the coming weeks.
