BELLAIRE, OH -- Bellaire Police arrested Audra Catlin and William Catlin, both 36, Thursday on four counts of child endangerment.

The housing authority called police to the couple's apartment on Atcheson Road after neighbors complained of a foul smell.

When police got inside, they found conditions they describe as deplorable. Police found feces and food on the floor. The sinks were full of dirty dishes and trash, and the toilets were full of garbage.

Bellaire Police Chief Mike Kovalyk said he started investigating the Catlins after he got a call from the principal at St. John's Elementary School. He was worried the couple's 5-year-old daughter who had only been to school two days in three weeks.

Kovalyk discovered the child had been in four different school districts in the valley. He also found the Catlins had solicited donations from local businesses and charities claiming that they were victims of Hurricane Katrina.

The couple is in the Belmont County Jail facing four counts of child endangerment, and their four children are in protective custody.

- Danielle Frizzi, NEWS9