BELLAIRE, OH -- Audra Catlin and William Catlin went before a judge in Belmont County Monday to face charges of child endangerment. Both pleaded not guilty, and they say they did not trash their apartment in Bellaire.

Bellaire police arrested the pair last week after they found the couple's apartment in squalor.

Police say they got a call from the Housing Authority that the Catlins had not been at the apartment in several days, and that they left a dog inside. When police entered the apartment, they found trash and food all over the floors and all of the sinks and toilets were full of trash.

The Catlins' have four children under the age of five who were living in the apartment.

In court Monday, William Catlin told the judge that he was out of town for a job interview. He said the apartment was broken into and trashed while the family was gone.

Audra Catlin talked to NEWS9 as she left the court. She said she would never let her children live in squalor. She claims a neighbor broke into the apartment.

Both face up to two years in jail and $4,000 in fines if they are convicted of child endangerment charges.

- Danielle Frizzi, NEWS9