In Pennsylvania, two women, a mother and grandmother have been arrested for brutally abusing a 12-year-old girl. Authorities say the couple caused severe physical and emotional damage on the youngster, who is now in protective custody.
52-year-old Stacey Ann Louder and her 35-year-old daughter, Amanda Lynn Gregorio, were taken into custody on Monday. Their arrests came after an intense investigation that began in September 2024, following a hospital visit that raised red flags with medical professionals.
The child was initially brought to the hospital suffering from seizure-like symptoms. During the visit, Gregorio, the child’s mother, admitted to giving her daughter 50 mg of Benadryl and 60 mg of melatonin. This confession immediately drew suspicion from doctors and child welfare officials.
Luzerne County Children, Youth and Families launched an investigation that unearthed a horrifying pattern of abuse. Medical staff who treated the child noted visible bruises and scars, consistent with being restrained. Their concerns were validated when the girl opened up about the abuse.
According to police reports, the child revealed she had been tied to her bed for long hours, during which she was forced to relieve herself in place. She described the experience as painful and humiliating. Authorities later discovered that Louder and Gregorio had installed surveillance cameras in the girl’s bedroom, allegedly to monitor her and prevent her escape.
The abuse didn’t stop there. Investigators were told the girl was even forced to eat cat food. This chilling detail was backed by a witness, who overheard Gregorio admitting to it during a phone call. Gregorio allegedly also expressed reluctance in restraining her daughter but blamed her mother Louder, claiming she was pressured into doing it.
The child’s condition reflected the severity of the abuse. Prosecutors stated that her weight had plummeted to just 50 pounds a stark indicator of prolonged neglect and mistreatment.
District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce condemned the abuse in a public statement, saying, “The abuse of this child offends the sense of decency of every mother, grandmother, and otherwise respectable person imaginable. Once again, the very people to whom this child would look to keep her safe, were her assailants.”
Louder and Gregorio are now facing multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault of a minor under 13, unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, conspiracy, endangering the welfare of a child, tampering with evidence, and more. Both are currently being held at Luzerne County Correctional Facility on $125,000 cash bail.
They are scheduled to appear in court on May 6, 2025, where they will face the consequences of the shocking allegations that have rocked their community.
