The Lansford Police Department has arrested a couple that they say had locked up children in a room for 10+ hours.According to police, the investigation began when the department received information that Shawn Murphy, 48, and Geri Lynn Survis, 38, had locked up Survis' child in a room for over 10 hours at their home in the 200 Block of East Ridge Street.
Police learned that the child was locked in by screwing the door to the room shut with drywall screws. At the time of this incident, the child had a friend that was locked in as well.
During this lock down time, the victims were not allowed to use the bathroom and ended up urinating out of the window. They were allowed out later in the morning to eat, but were again locked in afterwards. The child of this couple also reported having been physically assaulted prior to the lock down.
Lansford Police officers served a Search Warrant on this home in order to gather additional information concerning the listed incident.
During this original search, additional evidence was found that resulted in a second simultaneous search warrant being served on this property. This additional incident was based on finding drug related paraphernalia and other items associated with the drug culture lifestyle. Charges are pending the results of laboratory testing.
Lansford Police officers served a Search Warrant on this home in order to gather additional information concerning the listed incident.
During this original search, additional evidence was found that resulted in a second simultaneous search warrant being served on this property. This additional incident was based on finding drug related paraphernalia and other items associated with the drug culture lifestyle. Charges are pending the results of laboratory testing.
Survis was charged with Unlawful Restraint, 2 counts of False Imprisonment, Neglect of Care of Dependent Person, Unlawful Restraint, Endangering the Welfare of Children, Simple Assault, and
Harassment.
Harassment.
Murphy was charged with the same minus the Unlawful Restraint.
Both Survis and her boyfriend Murphy were taken into custody on Wednesday, arraigned and were remanded to Carbon County Correctional Facility in lieu of Bail.
Also discovered during these searches were numerous violations of the International Property Maintenance Code. The unsanitary and unsafe conditions will be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Officer for follow up and enforcement