Pa. parents sentenced for forcing 7 children to live in 'nightmarish conditions' with little food

WEST ROCKHILL TOWNSHIP, Pa. (TCN) -- A father and mother will spend up to 16 years in state prison for forcing their seven children to live in "nightmarish conditions" in a run-down trailer without any cleaning products, soap, toothpaste, or other hygienic items.

According to an Aug. 20 news release from the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, a judge sentenced 48-year-old Shane Robertson and 38-year-old Crystal Robertson to eight to 16 years. They will have to undergo a mental health evaluation, treatment, and a drug and alcohol program. The parents must not contact their children until they are 18 and can only do so with a court-appointed therapist’s approval. The defendants are also not allowed to own any animals during their supervision.

Shane Robertson and Crystal Robertson previously pleaded guilty to seven felony counts of child endangerment and six counts of animal neglect.

Judge Charissa Liller, who sentenced the couple, called them "two of the worst parents I’ve ever seen in my life."

Liller told Shane Robertson and Crystal Robertson, "It is appalling that you would live in these conditions with your seven children. You treated your animals better than you treated your children. You kept them caged up like animals, but you weren’t treating them as good."

In April 2023, the Pennridge Regional Police Department responded to a report of two children stealing items from an abandoned trailer. Officers found one of the Robertsons’ children barefoot and another with "dirty and ill-fitting clothing." The two kids reportedly told officials they went into the trailer to retrieve a blanket so they could "keep their rats warm since their parents had no money."

Police contacted the Robertsons, who were not home at the time, and they arrived shortly after. According to the district attorney’s office, officers searched their trailer on Roseann Lane and noticed it was in "obvious disrepair and disarray."

Police reportedly observed filthy clothes all over the trailer, holes in the walls and doors, and a decaying floor. Animal feces were discovered on clothing and some of the floors.

Prosecutors said the Robertsons initially said they had three children, but police learned there were six girls and one boy between the ages of 4 and 16 in the home. The children were transported to the hospital, and it was determined six of them were clinically malnourished.

Many of the victims were reportedly sick. Two tested positive for COVID-19, some had poor vision, one had maggots in her hair, and all of the children had bad dental hygiene, according to the district attorney’s office. Two victims reportedly underwent oral surgery to have five of their teeth pulled, and one child had 13 visible cavities and a dangerous abscess.

Prosecutors said the refrigerator had a bicycle lock, and Crystal Robertson kept the key in her bag. Officials obtained messages and saw that Crystal Robertson reportedly said the children went to the refrigerator to "steal food." She allegedly called them "garbage disposals." Police found insufficient food inside the fridge.

Upon further investigation, authorities reportedly learned the children didn’t have any formal education, and they "lacked basic knowledge," including some who didn’t know their birthday. Prosecutors said the victims appeared to have social anxiety, and they told officials they didn’t like being in public.

According to the district attorney’s office, the Robertsons had a dirty bed and kept several animals, including two dogs, two turtles, two rabbits, snakes, toads, a lizard, and dozens of rats. Prosecutors said, "The only notable food found in the trailer was for the animals."

In court, prosecutors played TikTok videos from the lizard’s account, including clips of Crystal Robertson feeding the lizard pieces of salmon, brushing its teeth, visiting the Easter bunny, and dressing the lizard in costumes.

Deputy District Attorney Brittney Kern said, "They chose themselves, and they chose their animals."

The Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services took custody of the children, while the animals were surrendered to the Bucks County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Since their removal, prosecutors said the children "have shown signs of flourishing." However, Kern said, "The psychological effects will last a lifetime."

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