The children’s parents, 33-year-old Charles Albert Dupriest and Azyia C. Zielinski, were found asleep in a Ford Expedition parked outside the facility with their dog. They later confessed to letting the children sleep inside the storage unit while they stayed in the car. Zielinski told investigators the family had been living in the unit for about six weeks after leaving a shelter. She also admitted that they placed the bucket inside for the children to use for relief. Investigators later learned that the couple was receiving food stamps and $2,000 in Social Security.

Dupriest and Zielinski are now facing six counts of child neglect. Dupriest also faces an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a felon. Both remain in custody as the case moves forward. Prosecutors say the children’s health and safety were put at serious risk.