Delaware County couple charged with abuse, neglect of woman in their care with Down syndrome

COLWYN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A Delaware County couple is facing charges after allegedly neglecting and abusing a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome who was found outside in the rain holding a trash bag of clothes.

District Attorney Tanner Rouse said neighbors played a critical role in reporting what they saw.

"Who saw what they believed to be a young girl because she was so malnourished and so small out in the cold in the rain. It would have been easy enough to do nothing, but they did something. They called, they reported this. They might have very well saved this poor young woman's life," Rouse said.

Yahnae Clegg-Brown and her boyfriend, Naiyr "Hasan" Sanders, are charged in connection with the case. Rouse alleged the couple exploited the victim rather than caring for her.

"Instead of taking care of her, they took her Social Security checks and horribly abused her," Rouse said.

Police responded to a home on Ellis Avenue in Colwyn on April 25 and found the woman visibly distressed outside in the rain, holding a trash bag filled with clothing.

Officials say it was roughly 40 degrees and steadily raining outside at the time of the incident.

According to court documents, she was later taken to a hospital because of concerns about hypothermia and for further evaluation.

While at the hospital, authorities learned the woman weighed 82 pounds, according to court records.

"She was not fed. When she was it was ramen noodles and leftovers," Rouse said.

Court documents state the woman also had fresh injuries, including a black eye.

"She was outside for hours in the freezing cold in the rain, begging and pleading to come in. At one point, the defendant came outside and punched her in the face for complaining so much," Rouse said.

Investigators also reviewed footage from cameras set up at the home. Rouse said the couple was open about what had been taking place.

According to investigators, the victim's room contained bunk beds but no sheets, blankets or pillows. Authorities said it is unclear how Clegg-Brown and Sanders came to care for the woman, though it is believed she had been in their custody for several months.

Video footage recovered from inside the home allegedly shows Sanders pushing the victim down concrete steps and shutting the door in her face. Another video also allegedly shows Sanders punching the victim in the right side of her face.

"This was a level of cruelty that shocks the system, and they were up front. It shows how warped their minds were," Rouse said.

Authorities said the woman is now safe, recovering in another location and doing much better. Officials also expressed gratitude for the neighbors who contacted police.

Sanders and Clegg-Brown were both arrested on Tuesday. Their bail has been set at 10% of $250,000, and are being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility.

Their next hearing is scheduled for July 16.

The investigation remains ongoing, and anyone with information on this case is asked to call Sgt. Steve Banner at 610-891-4700.