LOWER MACUNGIE TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KYW) – A Pennsylvania couple is facing charges after twin teens were found malnourished and extremely thin.
According to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office, officials first learned about the alleged abuse after one of the teens was seen running naked outside in cold temperatures.
The district attorney’s office shared pictures of the twin 15-year-old boys, who they say were found very malnourished and extremely thin last Wednesday.
Investigators say the teens were both physically and mentally abused, and they say the pictures prove it.
“We don’t believe they were seeing brick-and-mortar school. We don’t believe they were seeing live teachers on a regular basis. We don’t believe they were getting medical care on a regular basis for the last eight years,” Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan said.
Investigators say their mother Tracy Dechant and stepfather Joshua Dechant are charged with two felony counts of endangering the welfare of children.
“Both children told the police that they were abused in the home, punished in ways that included the denial of food and water,” Holihan added.
The investigation started when Pennsylvania State Police say they got a call that one of the boys was nearly naked outside his house on Divot Drive in single-digit temperatures.
Police say the teen told a trooper that his stepfather forced him to go outside naked as a punishment. He said he was out there for about 20 minutes, and his feet were red from the cold and snow.
A neighbor told police the teen knocked on their door for help and, once inside, wouldn’t stop eating.
The district attorney’s office says other children in the home are now being taken care of by family and the twins were taken to the hospital for treatment after they weighed between 53 and 55 pounds.
Medical professionals said they should weigh about 143 pounds for their age and they only gained 10 pounds in eight years.
As police continued to investigate and collect evidence from inside the home, neighbors like Ryan Kipp were stunned to learn what happened.
“Honestly, I keep trying to figure out is that really real. Did that happen? It’s just disgusting,” Kipp said. “It’s a beautiful neighborhood, nothing ever happens around here. Great families, great kids. Everyone is outside playing together and it’s really just a tragedy to hear all about this.”
The district attorney says the couple is expected to make $75,000 bail. They are due in court next week.
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