WARNING DISTRESSING CONTENT: Officers attended the home looking to arrest two adults on suspicion of terror charges, but found something much murkier behind the closed doors
Children were found covered in bed bug bites and bruises in a house of horrors strewn with rubbish, police say. Officers attended the home in Pennsylvania, US, looking to arrest two adults on suspicion of terror charges, but found something much murkier behind the doors.
Police used a search warrant to gain entry in relation to alleged terror threats against the White House., but when FBI agents got inside, they were forced to call in children’s services.
Although cops found the people they were looking for — 43-year-old Thomas Bach and 44-year-old Megan Bach — they also discovered two little children who were reportedly living in horror conditions.
It is reported the home was filled with dozens of animals, had no running water, and was littered with garbage. The children – said to be 5 years old and just 8 months – were allegedly found covered in bruises and bed bug bites.
The adults were arrested at the scene while the children were taken to hospital to be evaluated and are now in the care of the state’s social services – the Department of Human Services.
Neighbours were said to be shocked at the news, and told how they had no idea the pair even had children as they had never seen them.
They claimed awful smells came from the home, which were so strong they could be smelt from the street metres away.
Neighbor Vex Holmquist told reporters at the scene: “There was a horrible stench every time you walked… I could smell it from across the street.”
Animal control officers also attended the scene and removed about 40 cats and a dog before the house was eventually boarded up. Authorities said the house was littered with garbage and faeces and infested with fleas.
FBI agents were also seen removing several firearms, including a rifle, from the home.
Thomas Bach and Megan Bach both face charges of endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person.
Thomas Bach also faces charges of conspiracy, possession of an instrument of crime with intent, and making, repairing, selling, or possessing an offensive weapon. He has a court hearing scheduled for July 20.
The investigation is ongoing and the children currently remain in care.