Authorities in Swatara Township arrested three adults after a 5-year-old boy was found naked and wandering on a road. The discovery led police to a nearby home where the child had allegedly been confined for days.
Pennsylvania State Police responded to the intersection of Quarry Road and South Lancaster Street on July 10 at about 7:30 a.m. after Good Samaritans reported seeing the boy. Officers took the child to a hospital for evaluation and traced him to a residence on North Poplar Street.
Inside the home, troopers described hoarder conditions with trash, hundreds of flies, and limited space to move. The boy's bedroom featured a baby gate secured with zip ties and duct tape, plus wood boards drilled across the door frame. Feces was smeared on the walls and window, while the bed was torn apart with food scattered throughout.
Jade Shuey, 21, told investigators the boy spent most of his time in the room and sometimes remained there for up to three days. He was fed through the gate and bathed once a week at most. Tucker Heagy, 20, said staff cut five to 10 zip ties each time they opened the gate and purchased them in bulk.
Shuey, Stephanie Schaffner, 42, and Heagy were charged with endangering the welfare of a child. They had a preliminary arraignment on July 11 and remain in Lebanon County Prison without bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 23.