Child Abuse in Halifax? ~by Legal Pub

Child discipline v. child abuse.  Where is the line drawn?  It is somtimes difficult to distinguish the two unless you see a case of classic abuse.  One such case appears to be the neglect of three Halifax children, ages 4,5 and 6.  Joshua Ross Weyant and Brandi Jene Weyant, of Halifax Township in Pennsylvania have been accused by State Police and Dauphin County Children and Youth Services of neglecting and abusing their children. "The kids were starving, nothing more than skin and bones," said Dauphin County District Attorney Ed Marsico to the media.

The children were apparently abused over a three-month span by their parents in a home that allegedly had no heat.  The four and five year old had bruises consistent with physical abuse.  The children were under weight and appeared to be suffering from malnutrition.  There were apparently 10 individuals living in the Weyant household.  The six year old boy sported an abrasion near the eye which allegedly came from his father throwing him across the floor. The children were allegedly locked in their room and had to pound on the wall to be let out to use the bathroom.

In speaking with the police, Brandi allegedly said that she was not the biological mother of the children. She claims that her husband forced her to withhold food from the children. She also denies being the one who kept the children “locked up.”  Neighbors claim that they did not even know that children lived in the residence. On the other hand, Joshua claims that the children were regularly seen by a mental health case worker who should be able to refute some of the allegations.

The children were taken to Penn State Hershey Milton S. Hershey Medical Center emergency room for care.  While the children were in poor health and underweight, they should recover, at least physically. The couple has been charged with aggravated assault, criminal conspiracy, false imprisonment, unlawful restraint, and endangering the welfare of children.   Keep in mind, all suspects are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law!