Pennsylvania Family Accused of Abusing, Restraining Children for Years

Ashley Cardona, Lori Cardona, and Michael Cardona face multiple felony charges involving two children they allegedly kept confined and deprived of care.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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Three members of a Pennsylvania family - Ashley Cardona, Lori Cardona, and Michael Cardona - have been arrested on multiple felony charges for allegedly abusing two children by depriving them of medical and dental care, restraining them, and placing one of them in a homemade caged crib. The case came to light in March 2024 when authorities were alerted to the disturbing conditions of the children, a girl then 5 and a boy then 6, who reportedly had not left the home in about two years and had not received routine care since 2019.

Why it matters

This case highlights the critical need for vigilance in identifying and addressing cases of severe child abuse and neglect, especially when children are isolated from outside contact for extended periods. It raises questions about the systems in place to protect vulnerable children and the challenges in detecting such extreme situations of abuse.

The details

According to prosecutors, the girl was allegedly buckled into an infant car seat for long periods, while the boy was placed inside a 'homemade caged crib constructed with stacked cribs, ratchet straps, zip ties, and locking mechanisms.' Authorities found the crib, which measured 51 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 60 inches tall, had a section of carpet stapled to plywood that smelled of urine, with what appeared to be fecal matter caked onto the railing. A second crib in Ashley Cardona's bedroom contained a zippered playpen. The children were removed from the home in March 2024 and placed in foster care.

  • The case came to light on March 19, 2024, when authorities were contacted by medical staff and child welfare services.
  • Children and youth services visited the home on Cassel Road in Etters, Pennsylvania, multiple times between February 24 and March 19, 2024.
  • Authorities executed a search warrant on the home on March 22, 2024 and found the modified crib.

The players

Ashley Cardona

The mother of the two children, who was arrested on charges including aggravated assault involving children less than 13 years of age, aggravated assault of a victim less than six years of age, false imprisonment, and endangering welfare of children.

Lori Cardona

The grandmother of the two children, who was arrested on charges including aggravated assault involving children less than 13 years of age, aggravated assault of a victim less than six years of age, false imprisonment, and endangering welfare of children.

Michael Cardona

The uncle of the two children, who was arrested on charges including criminal conspiracy to commit false imprisonment, criminal conspiracy to commit unlawful restraint, and endangering welfare of children.

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What they’re saying

“This led to a dispatch to York Hospital, where at that time, the Newberry Township Police Department had received information regarding what was the condition of the minor female and the minor male that was quite frankly, very disturbing and was extremely serious.”

— Tim Barker, York County District Attorney (People.com)

“Children also were found restrained while the caregivers were sleeping or were absent from the home.”

— Tim Barker, York County District Attorney (People.com)

“The children 'had reportedly not left the home in approximately two years and had not received routine medical or dental care since 2019.'”

— Tim Barker, York County District Attorney (People.com)

What’s next

The judge will decide on the defendants' bail status at a future hearing.

The takeaway

This disturbing case underscores the need for greater vigilance and coordination among child welfare, medical, and law enforcement authorities to identify and intervene in situations of severe child abuse and neglect, especially when children are isolated from outside contact for extended periods.