The parents of two children allegedly found in "deplorable conditions" were arrested in San Jacinto, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Deputies and Child Protective Services went to the residence on Tuesday after receiving a report about child abuse in the 1600 block of Santa Fe Avenue, according to a news release from the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
Authorities said they found the children "deliberately confined" to a room under "deplorable conditions" without access to a restroom or basic necessities. Deputies determined the children lived in that condition for more than one year, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.
The children's parents, Emily Tardy, 29, and Steven Crane, 38, were arrested for alleged child abuse. Both were being held on $35,000 bail.
Hours before their arraignment, the Riverside County District Attorney's Office decided not to charge the couple with felony child abuse and instead charge them with misdemeanor child endangerment.
It was not immediately clear if Tardy or Crane had an attorney.
The children were in the care of family members.
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Tardy's family members say the boys were locked in a bedroom at night and an alarm was put on the door to keep them safe because of what they are calling private issues involving the oldest son.
"My sister and her husband are normal parents," said Tardy's sister, Leeva Tardy. "This whole thing is bogus."
Devante Williams has lived across the way from the family for six years. He says he has never seen any signs of abuse.
"I think it's all lies," he said. "The kids are out here every day, if not every day, running around outside playing with the neighbor's kids."
