A Pennsylvania mother and grandmother were arrested Monday after allegedly restraining a young girl to her bed and forcing her to eat cat food, authorities said. The disturbing case came to light after the child was hospitalized with seizure-like symptoms in September 2024.
According to the Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office, Stacey Ann Louder, 52, and Amanda Lynn Gregorio, 35, are facing multiple charges, including aggravated assault, unlawful restraint, and child endangerment. The investigation began when the malnourished girl was rushed to the hospital, where Gregorio admitted to giving her excessive doses of Benadryl and melatonin before her symptoms appeared.
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Medical professionals alerted police after noticing bruises and scars consistent with long-term abuse. When questioned, the girl described being restrained, saying it “hurt” and “made her mad.” Shockingly, she was allegedly forced to relieve herself on the bed while tied down, reports the Mirror US.
Prosecutors revealed that cameras were installed in the girl’s room to prevent escape attempts. The abuse escalated to forcing her to eat cat food—an act Gregorio reportedly acknowledged while on a phone call. A witness told investigators that Gregorio claimed Louder was “making her” restrain the child.
The girl’s weight had plummeted to just 50 pounds. One witness, upon seeing a photo of her restrained, likened it to “Jesus on the cross restrained to a bed.”
“The abuse of this child offends the sense of decency of every mother, grandmother, and otherwise respectable person imaginable,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce. “Once again, the very people to whom this child would look to keep her safe were her assailants.”
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Sanguedolce vowed to pursue maximum penalties, stating, “It is difficult to imagine the sense of hopelessness abused children in these situations must feel.”
Both women face charges including conspiracy, false imprisonment, and evidence tampering. They remain held on $125,000 bail at Luzerne County Correctional Facility, with a court hearing set for May 6. The child has since been placed in the care of Luzerne County Children, Youth and Families.
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