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Disturbing details released about woman locked in cage for months by sister

WASHINGTON CO., Pa. — More disturbing details are emerging about the Washington County woman who was locked in a wooden cage inside of a Vestaburg home.

Channel 11 uncovered documents that show officials knew she was in a cage for three months before rescuing her or getting her medical attention.

Leona Biser, 51, is facing charges of neglect of a care-dependent person, abuse of a care-dependent person, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful restraint and false imprisonment.

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According to the search warrant filed by the Attorney General’s Office, Agent Anthony Brunto with Adult Protective Services visited the home on 6th Street in August 2019 and encountered the victim who was dressed “inappropriately inside a locked wooden cage" on a dirty mattress.

He reportedly began working on getting her guardianship but didn’t return to the house until Nov. 1. That day, he brought a doctor with him, but they left without getting the woman medical attention even though they documented that she was not able to walk.

It wasn’t until nearly a month later, on Nov. 22, that the AG’s office got involved and sent an ambulance to the home to take the victim to a hospital. Her sister, Biser, was charged on Jan. 15.

The Southwest Area Agency on Aging told Channel 11 they didn’t handle the case because the victim is under 60 years old.