3 Children Taken Into Protective Custody After Being Found In Home Of Deplorable Conditions

HIGHLAND (CBSLA.com)   —  Authorities said three small children were taken into protective custody Sunday after they were found to be living in deplorable and unsanitary conditions.

Officials investigating a location for narcotics trafficking in the 26000 block of Ward Street served a warrant around 7:15 a.m.

Detectives said an apartment belonging to 28-year-old Victor Castillo and 25-year-old Denise Orosco was the source of the drug activity.

Authorities said at the residence they also encountered 24-year-old Jonathon Meneses of Highland as well as three children -- a 6-year-old boy, his 3-year-old brother, and their 1-year-old sister.

Living conditions inside the residence were described as "extremely bad."

Officials said they found mouse and rat droppings everywhere including on clean dishes, inside the refrigerator and inside kitchen drawers and cabinets. No edible food was found inside the home but drug paraphernalia was found throughout.

All three adults were arrested for felony child endangerment.

Castillo and Meneses were also found to be in possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia. In addition to those charges, Meneses was found in possession of a victim's California Drivers license, check book, and three checks written to himself, ready to be cashed.

Castillo was also charged with operating a drug house.

The suspects are being held at the Central Detention Center with bail set at $100,000.

Child Protective Services took custody of the three children.