Criminal Complaints filed yesterday against 44 year-old Robert J. Duncan and his 42 year-old wife, Stephanie A. Duncan, allege that the abuse took place over at least a two year period. The couple face multiple felony and misdemeanor charges that could result in decades in jail, if they are convicted.
According to documents filed before Magisterial District Judge John Ditzler, the couple’s 11 year-old son, identified only as “L.D.,” was taken by ambulance to Hershey Medical Center’s Emergency Room on Jan. 12.
Documents filed with MDJ Ditzler allege that CART Detectives visited the Duncans’ home on Jan. 13 and spoke briefly with Stephanie Duncan and another adopted child, 13 year-old “J.D.” The adoptive father, Robert Duncan, was not present.
L.D. has been discharged from the hospital and is also in protective custody, according to Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf.
While in protective custody, all five children were separately interviewed by investigators between Jan. 19 and Jan. 28. Investigators allege that they all reported being repeatedly subjected to physical abuse and assaults, as well as prolonged restraint and harsh discipline such as physical punishment and denial of basics such as heat, bedroom furniture, and bedding.
Court documents suggest that eleven year-old L.D. may have been a special focus of his adoptive parents. According to investigators, interviews with the other children suggest that:
- L.D. lived and spent the majority of his time locked in his room for ‘about two years.’ At times, his parents allowed L.D out of his bedroom to use the bathroom and do schoolwork. However, ‘most of the time, he is in his room, in the dark, running.’ Running was explained as being a consequence of bad behavior.”
- “The children’s statements revealed the conditions investigators observed in L.D.’s room on Jan. 11th and 13th were fabricated. Months prior to L.D.’s hospitalization, S. Duncan and R. Duncan pulled all items from L.D.’s room. R. Duncan removed his wooden bed frame, mattress, and bedding. The Defendants took the few personal items L.D. kept in his room. The room lacked any heat source. Essentially, L.D. lived in an empty room and slept on a cold concrete floor.” (District Attorney Hess Graf clarified that the reference to “Jan. 11th and 13th” was an error, and should have read “Jan. 13th and 15th”)
- “The children described the day L.D. was hospitalized. S. Duncan told the fifteen (15) year old child, B.D., to put a heater and mattress in L.D.’s room. S. Duncan also directed B.D. to put covers and sheets back on L.D.’s bed. The plastic organizer and instrument found by law enforcement were also fabricated, having been put back into the room after L.D.’s hospitalization.”
- “The children described the daily treatment and torment inflicted upon L.D. by both Defendants. L.D. is rarely allowed out of his room to use the bathroom. L.D. pees in his room almost every day. Whenever L.D. pees in his room, he has to clean it with bleach. While the floor is drying, L.D. is made to run in place within the room. L.D. may have been unresponsive because of the bleach. L.D. had to use an inhaler because of the bleach fumes making him cough ‘badly.’ Whenever L.D. complains about the bleach, Mom pours bleach on his head.”
Robert and Stephanie Duncan each face 22 separate charges ranging from 1st Degree Felonies carrying maximum possible jail sentences of 20 years, down to 2nd Degree Misdemeanors, each carrying maximum possible jail sentences of two years.
Those charges include aggravated and simple assault on children, strangulation of household members, unlawful restraint, endangering the welfare of children, and tampering with evidence.
The Duncans were arraigned on Feb. 2 before Magisterial District Judge John Ditzler, who set Robert Duncan’s bail at $200,000 and Stephanie Duncan’s at $250,000. If released, both are forbidden from having any contact with the children.
As of 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 3, neither had posted bail, and both remained at the Lebanon County Correctional Facility. Their preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 11 at 8:00 a.m. before MDJ Ditzler.
DA charges N. Annville couple with "prolonged" assault and abuse of five adopted children - LebTown
