Bronx squatters arrested for alleged abuse of their two young girls in what police call a 'house of horrors'

A couple was arrested after police found their two young girls in deplorable conditions at a Bronx apartment they were illegally inhabiting.

Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a press release that 40-year-old Stephanie Grabowski and her 45-year-old boyfriend Mark Russell were arrested after police tried to evict them from an apartment on May 3 at about 10:30 a.m.

Police said they found urine and feces throughout the apartment and were unable to find sufficient supplies of food, amenities, clothing or clean diapers.

When they noted that a room appeared to be secured with a rope, they kicked the door down and found the squatters' two girls in a horrible room with feces, urine, garbage, and dirty diapers. One of the children appeared to be eating pieces of a filthy foam mattress that was in the room, Clark said.

The girls, aged 3 years and 4 years old, were naked and bruised, police said.

After the children were examined, officials said they were discovered to have "significant bruising and marks in various stages of healing, rashes throughout their bodies and difficulties walking, standing and speaking."

Grabowski was held on a $400,000 bond while Russell was held on a $200,000 bond.

“The defendants allegedly kept these little girls in a house of horrors. They illegally occupied an apartment and left the children alone without food or clothing. Fortunately, police rescued the girls, and a nurse discovered signs of abuse for which they are being treated," said the district attorney in her statement.

"The situation is beyond the pale," Clark concluded.

The couple was indicted on two counts of second-degree kidnapping, two counts of second-degree unlawful imprisonment, second-degree burglary, and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child.

Grabowski was also indicted on two charges of first-degree kidnapping.

Both are being held on Rikers Island.

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