Schuylkill County Common Pleas Judge Christina Hale set $500,000 straight cash bail for Jennifer Yost, one of three charged with abusing children in Minersville.

Prosecutors asked for $250,000 bail.

“That’s pretty high,” First Assistant District Attorney Michael Stine said.

He said Hale mentioned the strength of the case and the charges as justification for the high bail. Yost remains in Schuylkill County Prison.

“I thought it would be a high bail one way or another based on the severity of the offenses,” Stine said.

The approximate 40-minute hearing for the motion to set bail had Yost talking about where she went to school, her past employment situation and other matters. Stine said Detective Thomas Robin with the DA’s office also testified. Yost participated via video conference from the prison.

Jennifer Yost, her mother Wendy Yost, and Todd Richter II, father of the children, were originally charged in April. Some charges were changed.

The allegations against the three came to light March 10 when Minersville Patrolman Richard Clink was notified by the Schuylkill County Communications Center for a report of a juvenile in distress identified us BR. Emergency personnel said previously he appeared to be a victim of abuse and had injuries.

The children are alleged to have been kept in an attic, given inadequate nutrition and abused.

Magisterial District Justice David Plachko had previously denied bail saying the welfare of the three children, JR, a 9-year-old girl; DR, an 11-year-old boy; and BR, a 12-year old boy, was in danger. He held all charges over for the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Jennifer Yost is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, harassment and endangering the welfare of children.

Richter is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, false imprisonment, terroristic threats, endangering the welfare of children and harassment.

Wendy Yost is charged with aggravated assault, strangulation, simple assault, unlawful restraint, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and endangering the welfare of children. A hearing on bail is set for 9:30 a.m. June 4 in front of Common Pleas Judge James Goodman. One has not been set for Richter.