Hearing set for 4 accused of keeping children in dog cage

(CNN) -- Four suspects accused of keeping children in a cage in a dirty trailer home in Nebraska are scheduled to attend a court hearing Thursday.

The suspects were arrested this week after four children were found living in squalor, with two allegedly housed in a wire animal kennel, North Platte, Nebraska, police said.

Police got an anonymous tip and did a welfare check on the residence Monday, said Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling.

"Upon arrival and subsequent entrance into the residence, the officers found the residence highly unsanitary and unsafe for children," police Lt. Rich Hoaglund said in a statement. "There was trash, dirty clothing, food and animal feces and urine throughout the residence."

Police: Nebraska children found in animal kennel

Two young children, ages 5 and 3, were found in the metal kennel, which was secured by a wire tie, Hoaglund said. The cage reportedly had a mattress.

Two other children, ages 8 years and 8 months, were not in the kennel but were considered to be in unsafe conditions.

Police said the four adults, whose exact relationships with the children were unclear Tuesday, were aware of the conditions. They were charged with felony child abuse, first-degree false imprisonment and misdemeanor child abuse, police said.

They were identified by police as Bryson L. Eyten, 25; Samantha J. Eyten, 24; Ashly A. Clark, 22; and Lacy J. Beyer, 20. The children were placed in state custody, officials said.

The suspects were arraigned Tuesday afternoon and remained in jail with $50,000 bond each, authorities said.

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