DA: Man, wife, girlfriend murdered childhood of 4 victims

A Berks Co. security guard, formerly of Chester Co., is being held on $1 million bail in the repeated sexual assaults of four children, authorities said.

Warren Earl Yerger, 51, of Douglassville, allegedly assaulted three girls and a boy – all of whom where in his care --  on numerous occasions over two decades. According to District Attorney Tom Hogan, Yerger's assaults included anal rape, forced oral sex and digital penetration. Yeager also allegedly forced the children to engage in sexual acts with each other and forced the children to participate when adults were having sex, Hogan said. One of the victims was three years old when the assaults began, Hogan said.

"He ought to be charged with murdering the childhoods of these victims," Hogan said. "I'd like to lock this guy up and throw away the keys."

Also charged with numerous sex crimes, and being held on $500,000 each, were Yerger's wife, Leslie Yerger, 34, of Douglassville, a company payroll supervisor; and Deborah Keeley, 46, of Birdsboro, a secretary at a doctor's office.

"These defendants essentially tortured children in their care for years," Hogan said in a statement. "They degraded these victims in every way possible. As a child where can you turn when the people who are supposed to be caring for you are sexually assaulting you?"

According to his alleged victims, Yerger's sexual assaults began in 1989 in Phoenixville and continued at various residences in McKean County, Spring City, Douglasstown and Pottstown.

Yerger is facing over 500 criminal charges, Hogan said.

"As a caretaker, you're signing up to love children, protect children and do whatever you can to keep them safe," Hogan said in an interview. "Instead, these children were treated like animals."

A preliminary hearing will be held next week.

"We will make sure that justice is done for the victims and to the defendants," Hogan said.