Crystal Robertson and Shane Robertson, individuals associated with the Pennridge Regional Police Department in Pennsylvania, were previously charged with severe child endangerment. However, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has now added new assault charges to their legal troubles, filed on September 25. These charges emerged following interviews with their seven children, identified as JV1 (16 years old), JV2 (14 years old), JV3 (12 years old), JV4 (10 years old), JV5 (8 years old), JV6 (6 years old), and JV7 (4 years old), after their rescue from a distressing living situation on April 23 in Sellersville trailer park.
The eldest child, JV1, reported that her father, Shane Robertson, punched her in the face in February, causing her nose to bleed. When she attempted to escape, Shane pursued her and forcibly dragged her back home by her hair in front of her siblings.
JV2 stated that both Shane and Crystal Robertson physically assaulted them. She emphasized that her father was more physically abusive than her mother but mentioned that both parents would inflict harm on the children. She revealed that her mother used her dad’s belt to beat her.
JV2 also recounted a terrifying incident where her father threatened to “suffocate” her. During an argument between her parents, Crystal allegedly told Shane to do whatever he wanted, including killing the children. Shane responded by covering JV2’s face tightly with a “brown, fluffy” blanket, impeding her ability to breathe. Other siblings, including JV5, reported hearing JV2 struggling to breathe.
JV2 further disclosed that her father once handed her a knife and instructed her to go into the bathroom and harm herself. On another occasion, he told her to go behind a shed on the property and end her own life.
The victim asserted that her parents frequently punched the children in the face, leading to black eyes. She described one incident where Shane struck her, resulting in a swollen, black, and blue eye.
JV3 mentioned that her parents abused JV1, JV2, and JV6 more frequently and severely than the other children. In a particular incident in September 2022, JV2 and JV3 took one of the family dogs outside, and it was hit by a car. In response, Shane and Crystal physically assaulted both JV2 and JV3, leaving welts.
JV3 also revealed that her mother often threatened to kill the children’s pet rats, and her father had abused them “basically our whole lives.” During some beatings, Crystal would leave while Shane continued to assault the children.
Crystal would sometimes tell Shane to “have at it,” indicating her approval of the abuse. JV6, the couple’s only son, suffered the worst of the beatings.
JV3 alleged that both parents used cords or any available object to strike the children, including using their own hands.
JV4 remembered instances where the hungry children were beaten with cords, belts, and hands when they tried to take food from the refrigerator or their mother’s purse. These beatings left red marks, and JV6 often had welts.
She reported that her father had struck both her and her younger brother in the face.
JV5 acknowledged that they were frequently beaten by both parents, although her siblings received more severe beatings. She recalled Shane leaving noticeable red marks on JV6 after beating him. JV5 also mentioned Shane using a cord to strike JV2, leaving a red mark.
Following these accounts, investigators found probable cause to charge Crystal Robertson with simple assault and conspiracy to commit simple assault. Shane Robertson faced charges of strangulation, simple assault, and conspiracy to commit simple assault.
The initial discovery of the children’s dire living conditions occurred in late April, when they were found living in squalid conditions surrounded by animals at their residence on Roseann Lane. The children had no formal education, were malnourished, and suffered from various health issues, including Covid-19, low kidney function, and dental problems. None of them had received formal education, and some didn’t even know their birthdates. The home was filthy and lacked basic hygiene products. The children were socially anxious and struggled with basic knowledge. Rats were kept as pets, and the home was overrun with various animals, leaving the children starving. Crystal and Shane Robertson originally faced charges of endangering the welfare of their children before the new assault charges were added.