Parents Arrested After Child Found Locked In Cage And Another Holding Meth Pipe

Following a sexual assault investigation, authorities discovered two children, one of whom was allegedly located in a cage and the other holding a methamphetamine pipe.

A search warrant was carried out at a residence on Bear Run Road on Sunday, September 18, according to a press release from the Hocking County Sheriff's Office. The house, according to the sheriff's office, was in "deplorable condition."

picture for representation purpose

Authorities allegedly discovered a 3-year-old kid "locked inside a cage, which was secured with zip ties," according to reports. As per sources, the cage had several bugs, a cup of ruined milk, and dirty bedding.

A 2-year-old child was found in the house strolling around with a methamphetamine pipe, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Getty Images

The parents, Franklin Varney, 38, and Megan Smith, 25, reportedly left the house due to the sexual assault investigation. The minors are in the custody of Ella Webb, the children's grandmother, who is 61.

Webb was reportedly detained and brought into the Fairfield County Sheriff's Office after being charged with endangering minors, a third-degree crime.

The parents are facing third-degree felony charges of endangering children, according to the Hocking County Sheriff's Office.

According to reports, the kids were immediately placed in foster care.

In a statement, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Caleb J. Moritz said "I very, very strongly encourage Mr. Varney and Ms. Smith to immediately surrender themselves to law enforcement. If they choose to run from their responsibilities, as they did tonight, the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office will tirelessly leverage every local, State, and Federal resource available to bring these two to justice."

Parents were later arrested while they tried to escape the police through woods.