
Police in Pennsylvania have arrested a mother accused of handcuffing her son to an oil tank when she went to work. Chazzity Candelario, 33, allegedly restrained the 11-year-old boy while she was away from home, and it apparently wasn’t the first time. The mother of three reportedly told police she had a difficult time controlling her children and tied them up while she was away. The shocking allegations are a far cry from how Candelario presented herself on social media.
She often posted pictures of herself and her children smiling and looking happy. But it seems the outward appearance didn’t tell the whole story. According to a report from the Lebanon County Regional Police Department, police arrived at Candelario’s home about 10 p.m. January 11, 2025, after a concerning call.
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According to court documents obtained by WGAL, when police arrived at the home, an officer found an 11-year-old boy handcuffed to a bunk bed. The child allegedly told police his mom tied him up in the basement, but he freed himself. Afterward, he accidentally handcuffed himself to the bed.
While talking with the child, he reportedly said his mother would handcuff him to the leg of the fuel tank in the basement for up to two hours at a time.
According to WHTM, Candelario allegedly told police in an interview that she struggled with keeping her children under control. Sometimes she chained them up when she left. She also reportedly admitted to locking them in a 3-by-8 utility room
Per the Lebanon County District Attorney’s Office, the mother faces several charges. “Candelario was arrested and charged with Endangering the Welfare of a Child, False Imprisonment and Unlawful Restraint. Chazzity Candelario was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge John Ditzler and committed to the Lebanon County Correctional Facility in lieu of $100,000 bail.”
Although she faces serious accusations, Candelario presents herself very differently on social media. On December 24, she posted a picture of herself and her children dressed in matching pajamas that coordinated perfectly with her Christmas tree.
Then, on January 11, just two days before her arrest, she posted, “I love knowing people in real life. You can fake the funk with everybody BUT me.”
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Some people who commented on the Lebanon County Regional Police’s Facebook page didn’t seem surprised by the allegations.
One wrote, “Im not surprised at all. I went to school with her, about a year ago she posted an ‘inappropriate’ photo of her kids and I was scrolling tik tok and someone had made a video about it that went viral. She had blocked me when I had something to say about it.”
And this person hopes she stays in jail: “LOCK HER UP LIKE NOW!! FOREVER!!!! SHE IS EVIL!!!!”
According to Pennsylvania law, she could face several years in prison if convicted. Her next court appearance is January 23, WHTM reported.