Plea deal rejected in neglect case

NEW CASTLE – A judge on Friday rejected a plea bargain in the case of a Henry County couple accused of failing to provide adequate nutrition — or safe housing — to their young children.

In rejecting the agreements, Henry Circuit Court 1 Judge Mary Willis did not discuss the terms of the deal — negotiated by attorneys for Vincent Carl Zanghi and his wife, Sheena, and Henry County Prosecutor Joseph Bergacs' office.

She did however, express unhappiness with the level of compliance the Zanghis had shown in a related welfare case that presumably could determine what roles the couple can play in their children's lives going forward.

The Children in Need of Services (CHINS) proceedings are not open to the public.

Willis set trial for the Zanghis — each charged with four counts of neglect of a dependent, a Class D felony carrying a maximum three-year prison term — for Aug. 3.

When authorities went to the couple's mobile home — near Summit Lake in northeastern Henry County — last June, they reported finding twin girls, then 14 months old, in a urine-soaked playpen. Two older siblings, ages 2 and 3, slept on a urine-soaked mattress in a room with mold growing on the walls.

Police reports indicated the trailer did not have running water, electricity or a working bathroom. Windows were broken, leading to a large number of insects inside, and the trailer's floors were water-damaged and sagging.

Physicians said three of the children were dangerously malnourished, and determined one of the twins had suffered a skull fracture.

The couple were reported to be estranged at the time of their arrests, last Oct. 1.

In court documents, Vincent Zanghi, now 37, is listed at a New Castle address. Sheena Zanghi, 24, has a rural Mooreland address.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.