That request was made on behalf of 52-year-old Linda Weston, who was arrested in mid-October.
Weston is facing a number of charges including kidnapping and aggravated assault after four mentally-disabled adults were found locked in a basement in the Tacony section of Philadelphia.
Along with three other defendants, Weston is accused of preying on mentally disabled adults, locking them in the basement and wresting control of their disability checks. All four face kidnapping, false imprisonment and other counts.
Police also say Weston was responsible for the abuse suffered by her niece, 19-year-old Beatrice Weston.
In court on Wednesday a judge also imposed a gag order on the case in an attempt to limit further publicity.
