In a troubling incident from the Pacific Northwest, authorities in Vancouver, Washington, have apprehended three individuals following the discovery of five children and three dogs living in compromised conditions inside an SUV. The unsettling situation came to light when a local police officer conducted an investigation, revealing the distressing scenario.

During the investigation, officers uncovered methamphetamine on one of the suspects, while another admitted to having fentanyl inside the vehicle. This alarming revelation was accompanied by the stark reality of the children’s dire circumstances—they had very limited access to food and exhibited clear signs of neglect, according to a statement issued by the police.

The children, ranging in age from 5 to 13, were placed under the care of the State Child Protective Services and subsequently taken to a hospital for medical evaluation. Meanwhile, the condition of the dogs was equally concerning. Two were found to be severely underweight, and tragically, the third, suffering from an untreated open tumor, had to be euthanized.

The investigation led to the arrest of Natalie Gebron, Zachariah Edwards, and Corleone Lewis. Gebron and Edwards now face serious charges, including five counts of endangerment with a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, and three counts of animal cruelty.

Lewis faces a multitude of charges, including resisting arrest, possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, unlawful camping, unlawful storage of personal property in public places, assault-domestic violence, malicious mischief-domestic violence, and possession of a controlled substance.

According to Law&Crime, Gebron, 46, is the mother of all five children. Edwards, 40, is the father of the three of them. Documents did not say how Lewis was connected with the family.

A search warrant said that a caller saw the children in the SUV at a car wash and called police, KATU reported. The caller reportedly said the smalleset child was “naked and shivering” and had bones visible through emaciated skin.

All five of the children tested positive for fentanyl, and two tested positive for methamphetamine, the station said.

Gebron and Edwards are due in court again on December 23, while Lewis is expeced to appear on December 18.