By Morrissey Walsh
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NEWBERRY TOWNSHIP, Pennsylvania (WGAL) — The grandparents of children allegedly forced to live in a “homemade caged crib” and a car seat for up to 20 hours a day in York County, Pennsylvania, have spoken out about their heartbreak after the arrests of three family members.
Expression of devastation
Richard Cardona and his wife, Ruth Cordero, expressed their devastation after seeing the conditions their grandchildren were subjected to. An expert described the situation as “child torture.”
Estranged from his ex-wife, Lori Cardona, and children, Ashley and Michael Cardona, for many years, Richard said he was appalled by the living conditions.
“I found out there were charges because the police had me come into Newberry Police Department and give my statement of what I saw,” he said.
He described seeing his granddaughter strapped into a car seat too small for her 5-year-old self and his grandson in a “homemade caged crib constructed with stacked cribs, ratchet straps, zip ties, locking mechanisms.”
“When I saw his hand sticking out of the cage, he said a hug. I had to hug him,” Richard said.
Scene prompts a call to CYS
He says he and Ruth immediately contacted Children and Youth Services (CYS).
“We got in the car by the time we hit, halfway up the block, I was already calling children and youth, and he grabbed the phone and just started talking, and we were like, crying,” Ruth said.
The York County District Attorney stated that CYS visited the home from late February to mid-March, and the children were taken into emergency custody on March 22, 2024, three weeks after the first visit.
“They do good for a lot of children, but there are areas and gaps that are cracked and broken,” Richard said.
Grandparents seeking custody
The children are currently with a foster family, but Richard and Ruth are seeking custody.
“That’s all that I cared about is the children being safe. And I wanted to have my grandchildren to raise them properly with family values and love,” Richard said.
Strapped in car seat for up to 20 hours a day
The district attorney said the five-year-old girl was strapped in a car seat for upward of 20 hours a day.
Richard recounted the moment he saw the straps, saying, “I tried to put my fingers into the straps. I couldn’t put them in. They were tight.”
The district attorney referred to the case as “extensive.”
Richard said, “I’ve seen a lot of things. Never shed a tear. That broke me. That really broke me.”
The children were taken into emergency custody in March 2024, and the arrests came almost two years later.
“The children are saved. That’s the most important. They could take another year. I wouldn’t care. The children are safe. That’s all that I cared about is the children being safe,” Richard said.
Three family members arrested Wednesday
Ashley Cardona, the children’s biological mother, Lori Cardona, Ashley’s mother, and Michael Cardona, the children’s uncle, were arrested Wednesday morning for their roles in the alleged abuse.
“I just ask God to forgive them because that’s all we can do, is ask God and hope that they take the time to ask God to forgive them, because that’s something that no child should be able to go through,” Ruth said.
The grandparents remain heartbroken over the situation.
“I don’t wish that upon nobody. Nobody, nobody, nobody, nobody deserves to be treated like, let alone the child,” Richard said.
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