Delaware County prosecutors announced this week that two caregivers were arrested after police found a 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome and diabetes in distress inside a Colwyn home.
Allegations, arrests and the initial call
Authorities say officers were summoned to a residence on Ellis Avenue in Colwyn on April 25 after a report that what appeared to be a minor was seen crying on the front steps of a house. Investigators later determined the person was a 20-year-old woman.
“This is evil. This is sick,”
Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said in a news release about the case.
Prosecutors identified the arrested suspects as Yahnae Clegg-Brown, 31, and Naiyr “Hasan” Sanders, 35. Both face charges including neglect of a care dependent person and abuse of a care dependent person, according to the district attorney’s office.
What investigators say they found
When officers made contact, Sanders reportedly opened the door and identified himself as Clegg-Brown’s boyfriend. Inside, investigators say they found the victim soaked and holding a trash bag of clothes in the back of the house.
According to the criminal complaint cited by prosecutors, the woman suffered an injury to her right eye, multiple marks on her body and was severely malnourished. She reportedly lost about 50 pounds while living in the home and had dropped to 82 pounds before she was taken to the hospital. She has since been moved to a safe location and is recovering, the DA’s office said.
Family guardianship and context
Prosecutors say the woman’s aunt had been appointed her guardian after the victim’s father died. The DA’s office alleges the victim had been kicked out of the aunt’s home and left on the steps during cold, rainy conditions; police initially believed the person on the steps was a minor and reported that the individual had been locked out for several hours in 40-degree temperatures.
- Date of police call: April 25
- Location: Ellis Avenue, Colwyn (Delaware County)
- Arrestees: Yahnae Clegg-Brown, 31; Naiyr “Hasan” Sanders, 35
- Charges: Neglect of care dependent person; abuse of care dependent person
- Victim: 20-year-old woman with Down syndrome and diabetes; hospitalized and moved to safe location
Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Police called to home | April 25 |
| Victim found soaked and injured | April 25 |
| Arrests announced | July (per DA news release) |
The allegations lay bare the risks faced by people with disabilities who rely on family guardians or caregivers. The district attorney framed the case in stark terms, saying it stands out even among other criminal matters brought to his office.
As the criminal case moves forward, prosecutors will present evidence to support the neglect and abuse charges. Local residents and service providers told reporters they hope the investigation prompts closer attention to oversight, support and accountability for adults with disabilities living in privately managed homes.
Anyone with information about this case is encouraged to contact Delaware County authorities. The district attorney’s office has not released further medical details about the victim beyond what was included in the criminal complaint.
This case underscores growing concerns about the welfare of vulnerable adults in private care arrangements across the region, and it is likely to be followed closely by advocates and local officials.
