How Could You? Hall of Shame-Sean and Dana Williams

This will be an archive of heinous actions by those involved in child welfare, foster care and adoption. We forewarn you that these are deeply disturbing stories that may involve sex abuse, murder, kidnapping and other horrendous actions.

From Forty Fort, Pennsylvania, “Investigators say they have arrested two foster parents on the accusations of one of the worst cases of child abuse and neglect they have ever seen as they stand accused of abusing a 13-year-old boy in their care and detectives say two foster kids witnesses some of that abuse.

According to the Forty Fort police chief, two foster parents, 48-year-old, Sean Williams, and 57-year-old, Dana Williams, both from Forty Fort, were brought to Luzerne County Central Court in Wilkes-Barre, Wednesday afternoon to face charges for their alleged abuse of children in their care.

On July 20 officers were called to the …of Wyoming Avenue, near the police station, when Luzerne County Children and Youth Services advised them of a missing foster child at the Williams’ home after several unannounced visits were made and the child was not seen.

“This is one of the more disturbing cases that I’ve seen. To think about how the children are being treated by the people charged with their custody,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.

Police say they arrived and began to ask questions to which they learned about the alleged abuse of a 13-year-old boy in their care. A boy the Williams said they were in the process of adopting.

Court papers read, the Williams also had two foster kids, a 12-year-old boy, and an 11-year-old girl, who were also in the home.

The 13-year-old victim was eventually spotted by an officer inside the house. Sean then admitted he would tell the victim to hide in the basement when someone arrived at the house, according to court records.

“To think that this poor young child being locked in the basement, deprived of food, beaten and strangled, as far as the allegations are concerned, with really no way out by the person who was supposed to look out for him. Two people who are supposed to look out for him. As an adult, a parent, and a prosecutor, for all of us involved in the case, it’s extremely disturbing,” Sanguedolce added.

Through further investigation, it was learned Sean and Dana would keep the victim isolated in the basement for hours, at times weeks, denying him food and water for days, and physically abusing him including strangulation.

D.A. Sanguedolce says they also found evidence of child pornography.

Luzerne County detectives discovered the house had cameras in the bedrooms, bathrooms, and basement areas. When Sean’s phone was confiscated, officers found images from the cameras of the victim sleeping on a concrete floor without a blanket in the basement and sleeping in the attic on a hard floor without a pillow, as stated in the affidavit.

“The charges that were filed relate not only to the abuse of the child but during the investigation evidence of child pornography was also found on one of the defendant’s phones,” Sanguedolce continued.

Police noted those images of child pornography were allegedly found on Sean’s phone.

Two other children were located inside the home and were taken into custody. The children who lived with the victim told investigators of the abuse including a time when Sean allegedly threw the victim and another child down the stairs, according to court documents.

Angelo Falcone walks by the Williams’ home every day.

“I’m really shocked because I’ve lived here for over 40 years. Forty Fort has always been known as a quiet little town. You wouldn’t think that this could happen in our town,” Falcone said.

Dana and Sean Williams were arrested early Wednesday morning. Court records show the suspects are being charged with the following:

• Dana Williams: Endangering the welfare of children by a parent/guardian
• Sean Williams: Child pornography, endangering the welfare of children by a parent/guardian, criminal use of a communication facility, tampering with physical evidence, and simple assault

At this point, charges have not been filed in connection with the two foster children in the house. They and the 13-year-old boy are in protective custody.”

Luzerne County foster parents arrested on child abuse charges

[PA 9/13/23 by Vivian Muniz, Andy Mehalshick]

“Two foster parents from Luzerne County were in court Thursday to face child abuse charges as the victim testified in court about the alleged horrific acts.

Prosecutors say Dana Williams, 57, and Sean Williams, 48, were supposed to take care of a 13-year-old boy and did everything but take care of him.

The victim testified Thursday in court that Sean Williams locked him in the basement and forced him to sleep on a concrete floor.

nvestigators say this is one of the most horrific cases of child abuse they have ever seen. Thursday the 13-year-old boy came face-to-face with his alleged abusers.

“The truth is for a lot of children not only in Luzerne County but all over the world for these kids some of them the boogeyman is real,” Det Neil Murphy, Internet Crimes Against Children Taskforce for the D.A.’s Office.

Luzerne County investigators say that a 13-year-old boy in Luzerne County, Sean Williams is the boogeyman. Williams and his wife Dana Williams were arrested in September at their Forty-Fort home for allegedly abusing the boy. They were his foster parents the boy described the alleged abuse he suffered, mainly at the hands of Sean Williams.

“He hit me with a thick blue stick I was bleeding. He also hit me in my private parts with a metal screw. It hurt me for days,” the boy described with his voice getting louder, pointing his finger at Williams seated only 6 feet away.

“I mean I commend his bravery. I can’t imagine facing the accused like he had to today. I’m sitting there and listening unfortunately he had to go through it for so long. He was very strong and very brave and that’s all I could have asked for. Thankfully the defendant is facing what he’s done,” said Carly Levandoski, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney

A district judge ruled there was enough evidence to send him to court for possible trial. His wife Dana waived a single count of endangering the welfare of a child in court. She had no comment. But her attorney says she was unaware of the alleged abuse committed by her husband.

“She seemed really surprised,” said 28/22 News.

“She was shocked because she was not aware if anything was going on there. Because of course nothing has been proven yet. But if anything was going on in that house she was utterly shocked. She was completely very upset,” said Attorney Tom Sundmaker, who represents Dana Williams.

On July 20, officers were called to the … Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort, near the police station, when Luzerne County Children and Youth Services advised them of a missing foster child at the Williams’ home after several unannounced visits were made and the child was not seen.

“This is one of the more disturbing cases that I’ve seen. To think about how the children are being treated by the people charged with their custody,” said Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce.

Attorney Sundmaker told me that Dana Williams is angry at her husband for this situation. Both are headed to court for possible trial. Investigators say there were two other children in that Forty-Fort house at the time of this alleged abuse. Charges have not been filed in connection with those children.”

Boy testifies: says he was tortured, strangled and neglected by foster parent
[PA 10/27/23 by Vivian Muniz, Andy Mehalshick]

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