Cops: Pennsylvania woman tied boy, threatened with ‘ghosts’

SUNBURY, Pa. — Police say a Pennsylvania bound a misbehaving 7-year-old boy in her basement, then told him “the ghosts will come soon.”

Sunbury police say 56-year-old woman abused the boy last August, after befriending his mother.

According to a police complaint, Northumberland County child welfare caseworkers say the boy was also forced to sit in a sweltering attic and stand in the corner in his underpants.

Police say workers reported Santiago after she returned the boy to a daycare and they noticed cuts and bruises on him. Santiago allegedly used zip ties to bind the boy to a metal post in the basement.

She doesn’t have an attorney or a listed telephone.

Police say she acknowledged restraining the boy, but denied the other alleged abuse.

She faces a preliminary hearing Aug. 30.