Children Found In 'Near-Fatal' Condition, Parents Charged: Delco DA

CHESTER, PA — A Delaware County couple are accused of abusing their 1-year-old twin children to near death, authorities said.

Armani Coleman, 23, and Zamareon Moat, 18, have been charged with aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of children, conspiracy, and related crimes.

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office said the abuse inflicted on both children was deemed to be near fatal by the examining physician.

Moat and Colman were charged after an investigation launched in late January when Chester City Police got a call about an unconscious infant.

Responding officers met Coleman, who handed them her 1-year-old boy.

Authorities said the boy had shallow breathing and was lethargic.

The parents gave statements suggesting the boy hit his head on a door jamb while crawling.

He was later diagnosed with bilateral facial injury from blunt impact trauma at Nemours Children’s Hospital, and required surgery to drain a subdural hemorrhage. Additionally, the boy was diagnosed with injuries consistent with shaking/impact events. The child abuse pediatrician examining the child classified the injuries as near fatal.

After the boy was examined, a detective examined the twin sister.

Authorities said the detective found marks and bruises on her face, as well as numerous scratches on her body.

Moat tied to explain the scratches as self-inflicted, the examining physician opined that the location of the scratches was inconsistent with such an explanation, authorities said.

The physician also said the girl was emaciated, leading to the opinion that the child was subject to intentional food restriction that nearly resulted in her death. The doctor also saw what appeared to be bite marks on the girl, as well as several injuries or marks which could be consistent with a method of restraint or strangulation.

Both parents reported that they were the sole caretakers of the twins, and that neither was employed.

Authorities said an investigation of the devices of both parents revealed that searches had been conducted for subjects such as "scar removal cream for toddlers," "how to get rid of a bite mark," and "can you tell if a baby been choked."

Detectives reached out to the County’s Department of Children and Youth Services. CYS had opened a case on the children when the children had missed fifteen medical appointments, according to authorities.

Two twins were born with THC in their bodies, and the girl was a medically fragile child who required oxygen, authorities said.

It had been noted repeatedly in the CYS reports that the twin did not have the mandatory monitoring equipment in place, according to authorities.

Even after CYS involvement, and despite offers of assistance for transportation, Coleman and Moat missed or cancelled every doctor appointment for the girl from November 2023 through her hospitalization.

Coleman and Moat were remanded to George W. Hill Correctional Facility. They are scheduled for March 28 preliminary hearings, court records show.