Charles Smitley, a Pennsylvania father, and his girlfriend, Colleen Cassidy, are reportedly facing charges. This, for allegedly starving the father’s 5-year-old son and forcing him to eat his own feces.
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More On The Pennsylvania Father & His Girlfriend Allegedly Starving His 5-Year-Old Son & Forcing Him To Eat His Own Feces
According to the New York Post, police began investigating the couple in April. At the time, Smitley’s father reported that the 5-year-old appeared to be facing abuse. To note, Smitley had reportedly given custody of his son to his father because he “no longer [wanted] to care for the child.” Per the outlet, the father reportedly had custody of his son between October 2024 and April 2025.
Per the Westmoreland County District Attorney’s Office, the child’s grandfather took him to an emergency room after noticing bruising on his legs and buttocks. Furthermore, per officials, the child appeared emaciated and as if he “had not eaten for a period of time.” The officials informed police of the child’s extensive bruising. Additionally, the child reportedly admitted he had been “struck with a paddle and tied to a chair.”
During a forensic interview, the child also added that he was forced to eat his own feces. In addition, he stated that he had gone days without eating while in his father’s care. Lastly, the child reportedly noted that he was forced to sleep on the bathroom floor in a basement with no blanket or pillows.
More Details On The Charges Against Charles Smitley & Colleen Cassidy
Per the District Attorney’s Office’s news release, Colleen Cassidy’s 11-year-old son corroborated the 5-year-old’s claims. Furthermore, the 11-year-old even alleged he once found the child “in a closet with his hands taped together with duct tape.”
On Monday, August 4, Charles Smitley and Colleen Cassidy were arrested at their home. Additionally, they were each charged with “endangering the welfare of children, unlawful restraint, and simple assault.” Per the release, the pair were arraigned and remanded to Westmoreland County Prison. Furthermore, they reportedly failed to post their respective $250,000 and $100,000 bail.
Lastly, the New York Post reports that both children have been removed from their care. Per the outlet, Smitley and Cassidy will appear back in court for preliminary hearings on August 22.
A California Dad & Stepmom Were Charged After His 8-Year-Old Was Found Dead
Charles Smitley and Colleen Cassidy are not the only parents to recently face charges for their alleged actions toward their children. As The Shade Room previously reported, earlier this month, California police arrived at the La Quinta Inn in Bakersfield. At the time, they found an 8-year-old girl dead in the bathtub with a crushed hand and blisters. Ultimately, cops determined that her father, Ray Mata Jr., and her stepmother, Graciela Bustamante, had abandoned the girl at the location.
Furthermore, they reportedly did so after torturing her for at least two days, pouring scalding hot water on her body, and crushing her hand in a door.
