In a disturbing case of child abuse, three individuals in rural Pennsylvania are facing multiple charges after a 7-year-old boy was found wandering the streets, revealing a home filled with horrific conditions.
The boy’s escape led authorities to discover that five children had been locked in makeshift cages and endured severe neglect.
The Discovery of Abuse
On Friday, July 18, 2025, a local resident, John Lemon, was walking his dog in the neighborhood of Houtz Drive when he came across a 7-year-old boy who appeared to be lost, disoriented, and in distress.
The child was shoeless, covered in urine, and looked terrified. Concerned for the child’s safety, Lemon approached him and attempted to calm him down. When the boy didn’t respond to questions about his parents, Lemon flagged down another neighbor to call for help.
Freedom Township police officers soon arrived at the boy’s home and uncovered a truly appalling scene. Initially, the Zungalis, the boy’s parents, claimed all their children were accounted for.
However, upon further investigation, they realized one child had managed to crawl out of the house through an open window. What the officers found inside was shocking.
Conditions in the Home
Inside the children’s bedroom, authorities discovered drywall ripped off the walls, exposing electrical wiring and insulation. A strong odor of urine filled the room, and a baby gate was barricaded with zip ties, preventing it from being opened.
In one crib, a child was found in soiled clothing, with a soaked diaper, and smelling of urine. Moldy sippy cups and dirty blankets were also found in the room.
In another bedroom, the situation was equally grim. Cribs had been converted into makeshift cages, with zip ties preventing the children from escaping. Feces were found outside the cribs, and the children appeared malnourished. Police reported that the children, once fed Happy Meals by an officer, ate “aggressively” due to their hunger.
The Children’s Suffering
Authorities also found one child who appeared to be seriously injured, with a distended abdomen and purple legs and feet. This child, around two years old, was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment and later transferred to a specialist. The children were reportedly confined to their makeshift cages for up to 20 hours a day.
The house itself was in a state of disarray, with animal feces scattered throughout and no running water. In addition to the child abuse charges, authorities also reported that the family’s pets had been neglected and were living in similar filthy conditions.
Charges Against the Suspects
Dominic and Zoe Zungali, both 31, along with 18-year-old Gillian Bem, are facing charges related to child abuse, including false imprisonment, endangering the welfare of children, and cruelty to animals. The Zungalis are believed to be the children’s parents, while Bem is their aunt.
The three suspects are scheduled to appear for preliminary hearings on July 31, 2025. The Zungalis are being held on $150,000 bonds each, while Bem is being held on a $75,000 bond.
This horrifying case has shocked the local community and the nation as a whole. The children’s suffering in what should have been a safe home highlights the tragic reality of child abuse and neglect. Authorities acted quickly to remove the children from the dangerous environment, and the suspects now face serious charges.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on the well-being of the children, who are now in the care of child protection services and medical professionals.
