Officials are investigating a serious case of alleged child endangerment and animal cruelty in Bellaire.

Two people were arrested and face a number of charges, and children and animals were removed from what police are calling deplorable conditions.

Five dogs, 12 cats, a snake and a tank of fish were surrendered to the Belmont County Animal Rescue League.

“What we saw was unbelievable, it was filthy, the smell leading up to the house, rotting trash.”

BCARL Director Howard Goldman

BCARL contacted the Bellaire Police Department and children services to help remove the children from the home.

“I’ve been here almost 30 years, and this is the second-worst house I’ve ever been in in my entire life. That’s how deplorable.”

Bellaire Police Chief Dick Flanagan

The house has since been condemned.

Flanagan says eight children are now under the care of children services.

Arrested were 33-year old Amanda Nagy and 29-year old Christopher Goldsmith. They each face multiple charges of child endangerment and animal cruelty. Goldman says two of the kittens have serious disorders, one with cerebral hyperplasia, meaning the cerebrum is not properly developed, and another with severe bone disease.