In a case that has horrified a Pennsylvania community, a couple from Bucks County has been sentenced to eight to 16 years in prison after authorities discovered their seven children living in deplorable conditions. The youngest of the children was just four years old.
The investigation began in April 2023, when concerned neighbors reported seeing children entering an abandoned trailer in the Green Top Trailer Park in West Rockhill Township. Responding to the call, officers found two of the children, barefoot and wearing dirty, ill-fitting clothes. When questioned, the children explained they had gone into the trailer to retrieve a blanket for their pet rats, revealing that their family was facing severe financial difficulties, told 6ABC News.
The situation worsened when authorities brought the children back to their parents, Shane Robertson, 48, and Crystal Robertson, 38, who lived in a neighboring trailer. Inside, the officers encountered a scene of shocking neglect. The living conditions were described as “extremely unhygienic and hazardous,” with feces found in multiple areas and signs of severe deterioration throughout the home. Most disturbingly, they found a refrigerator padlocked shut.
As the investigation continued, police, accompanied by an investigator from Bucks County Children and Youth, discovered five more children hidden in a back bedroom. The children were immediately removed from the home for their safety.
Medical evaluations conducted at a local hospital revealed the severity of the neglect. Many of the children were found to be malnourished, with some suffering from impaired kidney function. It was also discovered that the children had not been attending school and lacked basic knowledge—some were even unaware of their own birthdays.
The Robertsons eventually admitted to seven felony counts of child endangerment and six summary counts of animal neglect in early 2024. In addition to their prison sentences, they were ordered to undergo mental health evaluations and receive drug and alcohol treatment while incarcerated.
The court’s ruling also prohibits the couple from having any contact with their children until they turn 18, and even then, only with the consent of a court-appointed therapist. The judge’s decision reflects the profound trauma inflicted on the children, who were found with dental hygiene in such a dire state that one child had maggots in their hair.
The children remain in the custody of Bucks County Children and Youth Social Services, where they continue to receive care. The case has drawn widespread attention and serves as a sobering reminder of the vulnerability of children in neglectful and abusive environments.