Emaciated and bruised, 18-year-old Matthew Schrock was found by police on the second floor of a Johnstown townhouse littered with garbage, vomit and dog feces.

The mentally disabled man lived with his sister, Dawn Schrock, 19, and her boyfriend, Christopher Shoopman, 25. The couple were arrested Tuesday, trading their squalid home for the confines of the Cambria County Jail. Their charges include neglect of a care-dependent person, simple assault and false imprisonment.

Ms. Schrock told police that her brother has the intellect of a 7-year-old.

According to a criminal complaint, the couple punished Mr. Schrock with beatings, fed him little and frequently locked him in a closet.

Standing 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 118 pounds, Mr. Schrock was taken to Johnstown's Conemaugh Hospital. Police also found a 6-month-old boy in the house.

Cambria County District Attorney Patrick T. Kiniry said Mr. Schrock was still in the hospital yesterday. Johnstown police Capt. Andrew Frear said the baby, now in the care of his father, was malnourished but his health was improving.

Mr. Kiniry said the abuses came to light because Ms. Schrock asked a cousin to bring over some food. The cousin, upon seeing the conditions in the home, called authorities.

Police searched the house, which is owned by the Johnstown Housing Authority, Nov. 30. In addition to the people and heaps of garbage, they found two adult pit bulls and a pit-mix puppy, which were taken to an animal rescue center. Ms. Schrock said the dogs hadn't been fed in five days.

Mr. Schrock's condition was the most striking. He had a large bruise on his face and blood around his mouth, according to the complaint, and several other bruises marked his gaunt frame.

Ms. Schrock told police that Mr. Shoopman recently punched her brother in the face in self-defense.

According to the complaint, Mr. Schrock was beaten by both suspects for infractions like having his music too loud or talking back to them. Mr. Shoopman also would force the victim to do push-ups and sit-ups.

Mr. Schrock told police that Mr. Shoopman often locked him in a bedroom closet, letting him out only to use the bathroom.

Ms. Schrock collected her brother's Social Security disability checks but fed him little, the complaint said.

She told police that her brother eats too much and, "I have to portion his food." But Ms. Schrock admitted there was no food in the house when police arrived. She said they had not eaten for a couple of days and hadn't fed the dogs in five days.

"When you read through [the report], you just can't believe these things happen in 2008 in America," Mr. Kiniry said. "It brings tears to your eyes."

Mr. Kiniry said he expected Ms. Schrock, who has already waived her right to a preliminary hearing, to post bond soon. Mr. Shoopman is being held on a detainer from another state, but Mr. Kiniry said he didn't know the details.