DACUSVILLE — While serving an arrest warrant to 518 Hunts Bridge Road, deputies with the Pickens County Sheriff’s office found a disturbing scene.

Five minor children, ranging in age from 4 to 14, were unattended at the residence, according to a press release from the sheriff’s office.

“There was no food in the house and no working lights,” the release said. “There were 19 dogs in the house, four of which were unresponsive. Officers observed the residence to be littered with dog feces and urine. The toilets in the residence were filled with human waste and there was a large hole in the bathroom floor.”

Based on the officers’ observations, the children were taken into Emergency Protective Custody and placed in the care of the Department of Social Services. The dogs were turned over to Animal Control.

The facts of the case were presented to Magistrate Charles J. Wolfe, who signed an arrest warrant for Angela Michelle Wardlaw, mother of the children, charging her with five counts of unlawful neglect of a child, and Robert Allen Henderson Jr., father/stepfather of the children, charging him with five counts of unlawful neglect of a child.

The warrants were served July 22, and Wardlaw and Henderson were incarcerated in the Pickens County Detention Center, the release said.

Wardlaw was released on a $15,000 surety bond July 23, according to the release.

A surety bond in the amount of $15,000 was also placed on Henderson, the release said.

As of press time, Henderson remained incarcerated.