EPHRATA, Pa. — A Lancaster County couple are facing charges after police say they physically abused and neglected two children in their care.
Mark Tuscan, 33, and TIffany Tuscan, 36, both of Ephrata, are charged with multiple counts of endangering the welfare of children following an investigation by East Cocalico Township Police.
The investigation began in September 2023, when the Lancaster County Children's Alliance Center reported evidence of physical abuse on one of the victims, a 7-year-old boy, according to a criminal complaint affidavit.
During an interview with police, the children appeared to have been coached on what to say, according to the complaint.
A later follow-up interview was conducted, during which authorities noticed fresh evidence of physical abuse on the boy, who allegedly said he sustained a bruise to the left side of his face when he was struck by Mark Tuscan, according to police.
Authorities removed the children from the care of Mark and Tiffany Tuscan, according to the complaint.
During another interview with investigators, the children claimed they were not properly fed or cared for when in the Tuscans' custody. The couple would yell at them when they asked for food or a bath, the children claimed.
The female victim, an 8-year-old girl, had to be treated for scabies and an additional skin condition that was the result of neglect, police claim.
Both children were still wearing diapers, police said. The children told police they had not yet been potty trained and required changing by an adult.
Both defendants face preliminary hearings on March 26, according to court records.
