Pennsylvania Couple Accused Of Shoving Girl, 4, Into Garbage Bag
JOHNSTOWN (KDKA)- A Pennsylvania couple is facing charges, accused of tying up a 4-year-old girl and putting her in a garbage bag.
Police arrested 34-year-old Khristopher Newman and his girlfriend, 31-year-old Crystal Lynn Jedrzejek, the child's mother, both of Johnstown.
Investigators say the mental and physical abuse allegedly began at the hands of Newman.
"Apparently, the child had soiled herself and the individual taped her to a bag, a garbage bag. If she was going to live that way, he was going to let her see what it was like to be a dog," said Capt. Andrew Frear, of Johnstown Police.
When it occurred again, police say another extreme punishment followed.
"He stuck her in a dark basement. He just made her sit down there, it was dark and it was cold," said Capt. Frear.
In another incident, police say the child was beaten.
"There was marks to the face of the child, both left and right side," Capt. Frear said.
Investigators say the whole time the girl's mother did nothing.
"She isn't a mother as far as I'm concerned," said Sandra Hoover, the girl's grandmother. "I'm mortified because… to think what these children went through."
She credits the little girl's 9-year-old brother with bringing it to the attention of the rest of the family. The boy was the first to tell the his dad that his sister was being abused.
"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't even know everything," Hoover said.
Police arrested both Newman and Jedrzejek.
Newman was charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and disorderly conduct.
Jedrzejek was charged with endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors and disorderly conduct.
Newman remains in jail unable to post bond while Jedrzejek is free. The children are with their father.
"I hope there's no lasting effects, but no one knows right now," Hoover says.
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