On March 10, emergency services in Schuylkill County responded to a distressing call involving a child who claimed to have escaped from his home on St. Francis St. The child, referred to as BR in police reports, was found by EMS with multiple injuries suggesting possible mistreatment. BR informed EMS that his siblings were still at home and might be in danger.
Minersville Police Officers Richard Clink, Patrolman Harry Brown, and Chief Michael Combs, along with officers from Branch/Reilley Township PD, responded to the scene and proceeded to investigate BR’s home.
Upon entering the residence, officers discovered three other children and two adults. The adults were identified as Jennifer Yost, 27, the stepmother of the children, and her mother, Wendy Yost, 51. The children were identified as DR, an 11-year-old boy, JR, a 9-year-old girl, and SR, a 3-year-old girl.
Chief Combs observed that DR and JR appeared very pale and emaciated, and they seemed fearful. SR, the youngest, was moving freely and appeared well-nourished. EMTs on the scene noticed a laceration on DR’s wrist and a cut on his lip, which DR claimed were from accidents. EMTs, however, believed the injuries were consistent with deliberate harm.
Investigation Uncovers Disturbing Conditions
Police searched the house and found troubling conditions. An upstairs storage area had a strong odor of urine and contained a jar filled with urine and a bucket with what appeared to be feces. They also found a secured attic where BR stated he and his siblings were confined.
The house inspection revealed two bedrooms: one shared by BR, DR, and JR, with a single bunk bed, and another well-maintained room for SR. Based on the concerning conditions, Officer Clink took emergency custody of all four children.
During the investigation, Timothy R. Richter II, the children’s father, arrived at the home. He was informed that the children were being taken into protective custody. Schuylkill County Children & Youth transported the children to Geisinger Medical Center in Danville for medical evaluations.
Medical Evaluations Reveal Extensive Harm
Medical examinations at Geisinger Medical Center revealed significant injuries indicative of prolonged mistreatment. BR remained hospitalized for four days, during which doctors documented numerous bruises, abrasions, and a healing hematoma consistent with repeated physical abuse. Imaging also revealed healing fractures in BR’s lumbar vertebrae, and tests indicated severe malnutrition and electrolyte imbalances.
DR and JR were also evaluated medically. DR had multiple scars and bruises, with some injuries consistent with physical abuse. JR had fewer injuries, which could be considered accidental, but she expressed feeling unsafe at home.
Detailed Accounts from Children
In follow-up interviews at UPMC Children’s Resource Center, the children provided more detailed accounts of their experiences. JR described being struck with various objects and confined without adequate food. BR recounted severe physical harm and neglect, including limited access to food and water, and being forced to use a bucket for sanitation in the attic where they were confined.
The children described the attic as cold, and BR said they were locked there for days without food or water. BR and DR both described collecting rainwater and eating snow to survive when they were not fed.
Legal Proceedings
The individuals involved, Timothy R. Richter II, Jennifer Yost, and Wendy Yost, were arraigned before District Judge David Plachko. The judge described the case as one of the most serious and disturbing he had ever encountered. All three were sent to Schuylkill County Prison without bail.
Photo licensed via Depositphotos
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Nightmares
April 10, 2021 at 10:37 am
I cant imagine something like that happened in Minersville, theres too many nosey people, somebody knew something. The kids were being starved, but the so called fat slob of a father was eating all the food. These people need to serve hard time, and never be able to see those kids again. Sickos
Marlene Rowe
April 14, 2021 at 6:22 pm
These three adults are sick and deranged for what they did, but there are those out there who are sick and deranged for what they DIDN’T do! Somebody had to know about these atrocities, yet they did nothing? How does this happen? I’ll tell you how, the abusers surround themselves with people who will enable their abuse to continue by turning a blind eye to it.The abusers are persuasive and manipulative to the nth degree. They fit a specific profile, unfortunately, friends and family members are afraid of reprisals, so they remain silent, and the children continue to suffer these horrors, I don’t know how these family members or friends can live with themselves knowing that if they would only have spoken up, the children would not have suffered so long and so horribly.
R G
April 16, 2021 at 10:00 am
Where is the 3 older children’s birth mother?
Passed off Nana
February 18, 2023 at 12:02 pm
None of your business?!?! All three children are with their real mother and her husband now. Hopefully the third re***ds child abusers go to court ASAP but it’s Schuylkill County and mostly 90 percent of the time everything is brush u see the rug. And the freaking abusers get a slap on the wrists. It’s been 2 years and the court case just keeps on getting continued etc etc