4 accused of keeping children in dog cage make court appearance

The suspects were identified as Lacy J. Beyer, 20; Ashly A. Clark, 22; Bryson L. Eyten, 25; Samantha J. Eyten, 24.


(CNN) -- Four suspects accused of keeping children in a cage in a dirty trailer home in Nebraska attended a court hearing Thursday after being charged with felony child abuse, first degree false imprisonment and misdemeanor child abuse, officials said.
The suspects were identified by police as Bryson L. Eyten, 25; Samantha J. Eyten, 24; Ashly A. Clark, 22; and Lacy J. Beyer, 20.


The four children were removed from the home and placed in state custody, police said. The Eytens are the parents of the two boys, said North Platte Police Lt. Rich Hoaglund. Clark is the mother of the two girls.



It is not clear, however, what relationship Beyer has with the children.
All four suspects are expected to contest the charges, noted Lincoln County Court spokeswoman Kerry Sides, though their attorneys were not immediately available for comment.


The adults were arrested this week after the four children were found living in squalor, with two of them 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," 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 were aware of the conditions. They were charged with felony child abuse, first-degree false imprisonment and misdemeanor child abuse, police said.
The suspects were arraigned Tuesday afternoon and jailed on a $50,000 bond each, authorities said.


Their next court appearance is scheduled for November 10.