Four children found living in filthy conditions are back in their parents' care, despite opposition from state and local officials.

Audra and William Catlin were charged in February with child endangerment after police said their Bellaire home was in deplorable and filthy conditions.

Police said their home had feces on the floor, toilets without working plumbing, and sinks filled with garbage.

The Catlin's four children were thereafter removed from their parents' care and placed in protective custody.

Two months later, a judge dismissed the child endangerment charges against Audra Catlin after ruling she was not given a speedy trial. Because of that ruling, officials said there is no legal reason for the Catlins not to have custody of their children.

Officials from both the prosecutor's office and the office of Job and Family Services said they are opposed to the decision to put the children back in their parents' care.

Dwayne Peilich, director of Job and Family Services, said the department will continue to monitor the conditions the children are in.

"We need to remember that although the children have been returned, we still do have protective custody of those children and we will work aggressively to make sure those children are being cared for," Peilich said.

Audra Catlin is currently pregnant with a fifth child.

Officials from the prosecutor's office said they are awaiting the return of an appeal filed with the state, and said they do plan to aggressively pursue the case.

-Renee Cardelli & Amy Post, NEWS9