A man and a woman in Knox County, Tennessee, have been charged after authorities discovered seven children, ranging from a 1-month-old infant to a 7-year-old, living in what has been described as “deplorable conditions” by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.

The situation came to light when a 911 call was made early Tuesday morning, around 7:23 a.m., after two small children were spotted standing near a wooded area on Clear Springs Road. Responding deputies found that these children, approximately 6 years old, lived in a nearby residence.

Deputies and detectives from the Family Crimes Unit went to investigate the home. Court documents indicate that upon arrival, they found the front door open but received no response when announcing their presence. They entered to discover the home in what was described as “very deplorable and uninhabitable conditions,” as noted in a General Sessions docket.

Inside the home, in addition to the two children found outside, authorities located five more children. These children, aged between 1 month and 7 years, were transported to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital for medical assessment.

While at the hospital, one child revealed to an investigator that he had escaped from a metal cage earlier that morning, where he had been placed as punishment. Court records mention that deputies discovered a metal dog kennel, secured with a padlock, in the home’s living room, yet no animals resided there.

All seven children have since been removed from the home by the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, KCSO said.

Following the investigation, the children’s parents, Jason Hoffer, 27, and Amber Hoffer, 28, were identified. Jason Hoffer faces charges of aggravated child abuse under Haley’s Law and child endangerment, while Amber Hoffer is charged with two counts of child endangerment. Both were detained at the Roger D. Wilson Detention Facility and are scheduled for a court appearance on Thursday.

KCSO said the investigation into this case is ongoing.