Pennsylvania: Police say Brandi Weyant, 38, and Joshua Weyant, 33, purposely starved and abused their children. It's no surprise they were abusing animals, too.

PENNSYLVANIA -- The day after Christmas PAWS volunteers and Humane Police Officer, Ron Hollister, came together and rescued 18 cats, 3 ferrets, 1 dog, 1 turtle, and 1 rat from the Halifax home where parents, Brandi Jene and Joshua Ross Weyant, are facing criminal charges for allegedly abusing and neglecting their three children.

 

 

The animals were were given to PAWS and have all received a medical exam and are being treated for issues that resulted from various stages of neglect.

The ferrets were transferred to Forget-Me-Not-Ferret Rescue and the turtle is being cared for by a reptile rescuer.

The cats, dogs, and rat were examined by Dr. Samantha Slenbaker of Hershey Veterinary Hospital, and were found to be in fair condition.

The animals had a combination of fleas, intestinal parasites and ear mites. Many of the cats are also sick with upper respiratory infections.

 

 

Once the animals have completed medical treatment, are spayed/neutered, and have fully recovered, they will be up for adoption through PAWS.

“PAWS is dedicated to helping animals in need and these animals clearly needed intervention. We went into the situation not knowing what we’d find since the reports on the children were so horrific. PAWS will make sure the animals receive the necessary medical treatment and they will be available for adoption as soon as Dr. Slenbaker clears them,” Kathy Fitzkee, PAWS president.

 

“The condition of the residence was deplorable.  Animal abuse in the form of neglect is often one of the first indicators of distress in the household.  

"I encourage anyone to report suspected neglect.  In this instance it may have prevented the suffering and abuse of the children,” said Officer Hollister.

To report suspected animal cruelty you can contact your local humane society, police department or call the statewide animal abuse hotline, toll-free 866-601-SPCA.

EARLIER STORY: 

Police: Halifax couple starved, brutally beat their children ages 4, 5, 6
A Halifax couple is behind bars at Dauphin County Prison accused of starving, severely beating and neglecting their three children ages 4, 5, & 6.

Pennsylvania State Police at Lykens and Dauphin County Children and Youth Services responded on Friday, December 16 to the home of Brandi Jene Weyant, 38 and Joshua Ross Weyant, 33, at 1005 N. River Road, Halifax for a reported incident of suspected child abuse and neglect.

The children told investigators that they were locked in a bedroom with no heat, during periods of freezing weather, starved for long periods of time and violently assaulted at the hands of their parents.

Court transcripts told of two the children being less than a week away from death.

The four-year-old weighed 26-lb, the five-year-old weighed 23-lb and the six-year-old weight 27.3-lb.

‘The victims were infested with lice so severe that the children screamed when the lice were physically removed from their bodies by medical personnel and investigators’

The children were immediately taken to the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and admitted for pediatric emergency care.  Investigators say the children were in need of advanced medical treatment for their injuries.

Investigators also say that the Weyants conspired to stop feeding their children because Joshua Weyant no longer wanted them. They say the starvation began in September and the children were not adequately fed or cared for, for several months.

The couple were arrested at 12:30 p.m. Friday afternoon and charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault, Conspiracy to Commit Aggravated Assault, False Imprisonment, Unlawful Restraint and Endangering Welfare of Children.

The Weyants are being held at DCP on $1 million bail each.

(Fox43 - Dec 30, 2016)