Philadelphia Woman Allegedly Locked In Closet For 10 Years Sues The City For Not Stopping The Abuse

Philadelphia, PA – Beatrice Weston was allegedly locked in a closet by her aunt and abused for 10 years. The ex-convict aunt, Linda Ann Weston, allegedly beat the then 10-year-old girl who was also allegedly forced into prostitution. Beatrice Weston was found by Philadelphia police officers who were investigating the whereabouts of four mentally disabled adults, all of which were found locked in the basement, according to the Daily Mail.

Linda Ann Weston spent eight years in prison on charges stemming from starving her sister’s boyfriend to death in 1981. Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey stated Linda Weston locked Bernardo Ramos captive in a closet for an extended period of time, starving him to death, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Beatrice Weston is suing the city of Philadelphia for failing to prevent the abuse she allegedly endured for a decade. When Beatrice Weston’s mother could no longer care for her, she was placed in the aunt’s custody. Weston’s lawsuit maintains the city of Philadelphia did not carry out home checks and ignored complaints that people were being held captive inside the Weston home.

Beatrice Weston was allegedly beaten with a baseball bat, held captive inside a small closet, forced to drink her own urine, and to become a prostitute. Linda Weston and three others, including her daughter, were arrested on charges related to holding the four mentally disabled adults and Beatrice Weston captive. The Daily Mail reports claiming the Social Security checks issued for the alleged captives was a motive in the case.

The apartment landlord notified the Philadelphia police when he searched the basement for dogs after finding bowls which he thought indicated Weston was harboring animals in violation of building policy. When Philadelphia police officers discovered the four mentally disabled adults in Weston’s basement, they were chained to the wall and hiding beneath blankets in dire need of food and water.

Beatrice Weston’s lawsuit seeks financial damages from the city for anguish suffered while allegedly being held as a captive prostitute for a decade, payment for therapy and medical expenses, and loss of compensation for past and future earnings. Weston had pellet gun wounds, scalding, and burn marks on her body when she was rescued by police officers.