A woman confessed to securing her 11-year-old son to a fuel tank for 17 hours and provided a disturbing rationale for the abusive act. Chazzity Candelario faced charges of unlawful restraint, false imprisonment, and child endangerment, to which she pleaded no contest. She received a sentence of 16 months to five years in prison. Candelario, 33 at the time of the incident, claimed she struggled to manage her children while working, leading her to chain one of them for extended periods.
In a distressing incident in North Lebanon Township, Pennsylvania, Candelario confined her son for 17 hours as a punishment for overeating hot dogs. The police responded to a call on January 11, 2025, regarding a boy restrained with handcuffs at Candelario’s residence. The investigation revealed that the mother had handcuffed her son to an oil tank in the basement. When questioned, her children directed officers to a bedroom where the son had been handcuffed to a bunk bed railing after freeing himself from the basement restraints.
Upon Candelario’s return, she instructed authorities not to interrogate her children until she arrived. She explained that managing her son while at work was challenging, leading her to confine him in a small utility room where he was handcuffed to the oil tank. The boy disclosed being frequently restrained for prolonged periods while his mother was absent, sometimes tethered to a post.
Candelario had previous legal issues in 2017 related to child endangerment, marijuana possession, and drug paraphernalia possession involving her children. Family photos on her Facebook account included her son, Zayas, seen in various posts, including one where he wore handcuffs as part of a Halloween costume.
During the sentencing, Candelario remained silent, while her attorney expressed her remorse. The Lebanon District Attorney condemned her actions, emphasizing a mother’s responsibility to care for and protect her children. The judge admonished Candelario, stating that such treatment of her children was unacceptable and urged her to make amends for her actions.