James Russell, 65, and Carly Kahl, 41, have been arrested after allegedly holding their five children, aged five to 14, captive in a locked dungeon-style room at their home in Redstone Township, Pennsylvania. State police began investigating in early August and discovered the home had boarded-up windows, feces-covered walls, fleas, and minimal food and clothing, with no beds for the children.
The children's bedroom was secured from the outside with three deadbolts and had no internal door handle. Police stated that the room functioned as a dungeon, with video cameras hardwired to the father's room to monitor the children. Investigators also found a stun gun, a replica pistol, a CCTV camera, drugs, and drug paraphernalia at the residence.
According to a criminal complaint based on interviews with the children, Russell forced Kahl to use a Taser to punish one of the children. Fayette County District Attorney Mike Aubele condemned the use of a stun gun against a child, calling it 'less lethal, not non-lethal'. All children were rescued and placed under the care of Fayette County Children and Youth Services.
A 'brave family member' initially reported the situation to ChildLine. The parents face charges including aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, reckless endangerment, using an incapacitation device, and weapons offenses. Trooper Wilson expressed hope that the parents would be jailed for their actions.
