10 young people in custody in Philly basement case

[October 19, 2011]  PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Ten young people are in protective custody in Philadelphia after police linked them to the earlier discovery of four mentally disabled and malnourished adults found locked in a basement.

Authorities are looking into the relationships between the youths, the victims and three defendants charged in the case.

The juveniles, who range in age from 2 to 19 years old, were taken into custody Tuesday. They are receiving medical evaluations.

Police spokesman Lt. Raymond Evers says the 19-year-old is the niece of defendant Linda Weston.

Authorities suspect Weston and two others were keeping the four mentally disabled adults in squalor while wresting control of their Social Security checks.

Police say evidence uncovered in the case so far suggests the alleged theft scheme involved more than just the four captives.

[Associated Press; By MARYCLAIRE DALE and PATRICK WALTERS]

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