Woman kept in wooden cage, sister facing multiple charges, AG says

A woman accused of keeping her sister in a wooden cage with only a dirty mattress and little to no medical care (Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)

A woman accused of keeping her sister in a wooden cage with only a dirty mattress and little to no medical care (Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General)

A woman accused of keeping her sister in a wooden cage with only a dirty mattress and little to no medical care is facing neglect charges, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announcedWednesday.

Leona Biser, 51, of Vestaburg, Pennsylvania, has been charged by the AG’s office Bureau of Criminal Investigations with neglect of a care-dependent person, abuse of a care-dependent person, recklessly endangering another person, unlawful restraint and false imprisonment.

The charges came after officials said Biser kept her 53-year-old sister in a hand-made cell that was in the home's living room.

“This defendant professed to be caring for her sister when, in fact, the home was in deplorable condition, had no running water and the victim was not getting her prescribed medicines,” Shapiro said. “We fight to protect those who cannot protect themselves. And our agents have made sure the victim has received needed care and will no longer have to suffer daily living in a cage.”

Her sister was taken to a hospital for treatment of a urinary tract infection and rhabdomyolysis, which is a breakdown of muscle that can be caused by infection, according to Shapiro's office.

Shaprio’s office said Lancaster’s condition has improved and that she has regained mobility and is working with a speech therapist.

About the Author