Authorities in Delaware County say a Colwyn home turned into a nightmare for a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome, who was allegedly starved, assaulted and left outside crying for hours by the very people who were supposed to care for her. Two caretakers are now under arrest, and prosecutors say video evidence backs up the abuse allegations.
How investigators say it unfolded
The case opened on April 25 after an anonymous caller reported that someone had been crying on the front steps of a Colwyn house for about four hours and appeared to be locked out. Responding officers found the person was a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome, soaked from head to toe and clutching a trash bag filled with clothes.
Medics were called when officers saw visible injuries and signs of malnourishment, according to county investigators. As reported by NBC10 Philadelphia, investigators say the woman had been routinely refused food and forced to sleep on a deteriorated mattress with no sheets or blankets.
Video, arrests and what prosecutors allege
Investigators say the probe turned up video that shows Naiyr “Hasan” Sanders pushing the woman down concrete steps and later punching her in the face, footage that prosecutors call central to their case.
A criminal complaint against Yahnae Clegg-Brown, 31, and Sanders, 35, was filed on July 7. Both were arrested, arraigned and sent to the George W. Hill Correctional Facility, with bail set at 10 percent of $250,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 16.
"It is heartbreaking to see a vulnerable member of our community suffer the abuse and neglect described in this case," Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse told NBC10 Philadelphia.
What the charges mean
Clegg-Brown and Sanders are charged with neglect of a care-dependent person and abuse of a care-dependent person. Under Pennsylvania law, including changes made in Act 53 of 2018, caretakers can be held criminally responsible when failing to provide necessary care leads to bodily injury or worse.
Depending on the level of harm alleged, penalties for these offenses range from first-degree misdemeanors to first-degree felonies. The statutes are detailed on the Pennsylvania General Assembly's website.
Next steps and how to help
The preliminary hearing for both defendants is set for July 16, and the Delaware County Criminal Investigations Division says the case remains active. Colwyn Borough police, who initially responded to the April 25 call, were among the agencies on scene.
Investigators have asked anyone with information to contact the lead investigator, Sgt. Steve Bannar, at 610-891-4700. Court records available online did not list attorneys for either suspect at the time of reporting.
Why this matters
Advocates and families say the case underscores the dangers faced by adults with disabilities who rely on in-home caretakers, and the ongoing push for stronger oversight of private care arrangements. Prosecutors say they intend to press forward with the investigation and pursue accountability as the case moves through the courts.
