An investigation by Minersville Patrolman Richard Clink and Detective Thomas Robin began on March 10th, after EMS requested police come to North Fifth Street after a 12-year-old boy was found injured and in distress. EMS told police that they believed he was the victim of abuse.
The 12-year-old told police that his other siblings were in danger and that he escaped from his home.
Minersville Police and Chief Michael Combs responded to the home of the child where they spoke with Wendy Yost, 51, and Jennifer Yost, 27. Police also said the other three children appeared to be pale, emaciated, and fearful. Timothy Richter, 32, the children's father, would return home during the investigation as well.
Officers received consent to conduct a brief overview of the home and found an upstairs storage area/attic that smelled of urine where they found a peanut butter jar full of what they believed to be urine and a bucket of liquid feces. The access door to the room also had a bed frame wedged against it.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations, the four children, ages 12, 11, 9, and 3 were taken into emergency custody by Schuylkill County Children and Youth for their safety. They were all transported to an area hospital for evaluation.
Over several days, the children were evaluated by medical personnel, which led to the finding that the victims had endured long exposure to child abuse and torture. The three older children showed signs of bruises, abrasions, spinal injury, and forced starvation.
Questioning of the victims led to the finding that they were beaten by the adults with their hands, belt, a mallet, wooden spatula, and a tree branch. They would also be locked in the attic storage space where they were not permitted to eat or go to the bathroom. The children would get so thirsty, that they would open a window and use water or melting snow from a gutter to drink.
On other occasions, they would be forced into the shower with their hands duct-taped behind their backs and their faces forced underwater or sprayed with the hose.
As a result of the findings, Todd Richter, Jennifer Yost, and Wendy Yost were taken into custody on April 8th on charges of Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Unlawful Restraint, False Imprisonment, Endangering the Welfare of Children, Strangulation, and Harassment.
All three appeared before Magisterial District Judge David Plachko for the charges. Due to the seriousness of the charges, Plachko denied bail and locked them up in Schuylkill County Prison.