According to New Cumberland Police Chief Lester Skinner, Myrle Erickson and Desiree Wickham are each facing four chargesof child neglect with risk of injury or death after four children -- ages 2, 5, 6, and 7 -- were found in their home in deplorable conditions.

An officer was responding to a traffic complaint when he noticed piles of garbage outside the home on Straight Street, Skinner said.

He then investigated the house and found more garbage, feces and broken glass throughout the home. Saw blades and knives were lying out within reach of the children, Skinner said.

Skinner said in his 19 years of being an officer, this is one of the worst child neglect cases he's ever seen.

"The house was in dire straights. There was trash everywhere. Kids were dirty and filthy. Couldn't really find a lot of food in the house for the kids to eat," Skinner said.

The children are now in custody of Child Protective Services, Skinner said.

Erickson and Wickham are being held in the Northern Regional Jail on $20,000 bond each.