After two of her children were allegedly discovered in their father’s home, which police described as a “dungeon,” a mother said she is “heartbroken” and wants justice for her children.
Rachel Silbaugh is the mother of two of the five children who were allegedly discovered locked in a room with “deplorable living conditions” in a Pennsylvania home in August, according to ABC affiliate WTAE.
Authorities allegedly discovered the children living in a Redstone Township home with no beds, boarded-up windows, feces on bedroom walls, fleas, and a limited supply of clothing and food, according to CBS affiliate KDKA.
James Russell Kahl and Carly Kahl were arrested and charged with endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated assault, and reckless endangerment, according to KDKA. Silbaugh told WTAE that Carly, 41, is the mother of the remaining three children. James, 65, is the father to all five.
According to KDKA, the children were safely removed from their home and placed in the care of Child and Youth Services (CYS). Silbaugh wants to speak up for everyone, she told WTAE.
“I am heartbroken over this,” she told the outlet.
“My son isn’t able to talk, and I will be his voice and a voice for my daughter until the day that I can’t be their voice anymore,” she went on:
Silbaugh claimed that after being diagnosed with a serious medical condition, a judge ordered 50-50 custody between her and James.
She stated that her autistic son is nonverbal and uses a wheelchair due to a medical condition, according to WTAE. She told the outlet that she had previously seen signs of abuse on her children and had notified CYS several times.
Silbaugh had also filed protection-from-abuse orders against James as early as 2016, including one in which he “threatened to lock one of the children in the garage if she did not shut up and stop crying,” according to WTAE, citing court records.
“I saw marks on my children when I was still getting visitations,” she alleged in her interview, adding to the Pittsburgh outlet that her “son’s head was busted open at one point when he was still in his wheelchair.”
Silbaugh claimed to WTAE that James has told their two children that she is deceased, which is “why we’re doing a slow reunification process, because my two children think I’m dead.” According to the hearing that we had.
According to court documents cited by KDKA, police were initially called to the Kahls’ Redstone Township home on August 8 to assist Fayette County Children and Youth Services after receiving a report that children were living there in “deplorable conditions.”
According to WTAE, the children ranged in age from 5 to 14 years. Authorities claimed the room functioned as a “dungeon,” with video cameras hardwired into the father’s room.
Troopers also discovered three deadbolt locks outside the door and no door handle, trapping the children inside.
Police also allegedly discovered a stun gun, a replica pistol, a surveillance camera, drugs, and drug paraphernalia at the residence.
