Photo: Fayette County Sheriff's Department
A Pennsylvania couple, James Russell Kahl, 65, and Carly Kahl, 41, have been arrested for allegedly keeping their five children in "deplorable conditions" in their Redstone Township home. The children, aged five to 14, were reportedly confined in a room described as a "dungeon," with no beds, boarded-up windows, feces on the walls, fleas, and limited food and clothing.
Authorities discovered the situation on August 8, after a complaint was made to Fayette County Children and Youth Services. According to the Fayette County District Attorney's Office, the children were locked in their room with three deadbolts and no inside handle, preventing escape. Video cameras were reportedly hardwired to the father's room.
The children were immediately removed from the home and placed in the care of Fayette County Children and Youth Services. A search of the residence on Wednesday (September 3) uncovered a stun gun, which had been used on the children, a replica pistol, drugs, and drug paraphernalia.
The Kahls face charges including aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, use of an incapacitation device, and drug possession. Both are being held without bail, and their next court hearing is scheduled for September 17. The Fayette County District Attorney's Office has not commented on the case, and it is unclear if Carly Kahl has legal representation.