Three children were alleged to have been kept inside a Minersville attic, given inadequate nutrition and abused.

The children, two boys, who were 9 and 11 years old, and a girl who was 12, are living elsewhere.

Their father, Todd Richter II, is one of three charged by police. Jennifer Yost, stepmother, and Wendy Yost, stepgrandmother are also charged for the incidents that took place between March 2019 and March 2021.

All are out on bail.

A recent court ruling by Schuylkill County Common Pleas Judge James Goodman means the two oldest boys must testify in person 9:30 a.m. Jan. 7 in Schuylkill County Court.

March 10 a Minersville Patrolman was notified by the Schuylkill County Communications Center about a juvenile in distress. Emergency personnel said he appeared to be a victim of abuse and had injuries. One boy had escaped.

Police went to the home and found the other two children. A 3-year-old girl there was not a victim, police said.

Wendy Yost is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and endangering the welfare of children.

Jennifer Yost is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, harassment and endangering the welfare of children.

Richter is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of children and harassment.