Pennsylvania parents, Jacob Weight and Mimi Frost, have been arrested and charged with aggravated assault, corruption of minors, strangulation, simple assault, and endangering the welfare of children. The arrest followed an extensive investigation that began when a 6-year-old child in their care was found unresponsive earlier this year. The child had called 911 after losing consciousness while bathing. Pennsylvania State Police reported that upon arriving at the couple's home, they discovered a deplorable living condition with dog feces, trash, and urine throughout. Interviews with the other children in the household revealed that the 6-year-old had been repeatedly beaten, kept in a dog crate, and subjected to various other forms of abuse.

The victim later informed a therapist that she slept in the dog crate, ate dog food, and was shot at with a BB gun by Weight. District Attorney Mike Aubele described the girl as being hypothermic, covered in sores, abrasions, and infected. The family's other children, aged 5 to 17, are believed to have participated in the abuse. Authorities have not determined why the 6-year-old was specifically targeted.