This is a press release courtesy of the Salem Police Department

At about 12:45 p.m. Thursday, Salem Police Deptartment Criminal Investigations Detectives responded to 4345 Vernon Loop NE in Salem to serve a search warrant involving a child pornography investigation.

Immediately upon entering the residence, the detectives found unfit living conditions. Additional detectives from the Drug Activity Response Team & Street Crimes Unit responded to assist with the investigation.

The residents of the home were identified as Kevin and Sarah Deal, their two children, (ages 15 and 16 years) and two other juveniles, (ages 9 and 17 years), all of whom live at the residence.

Inside the residence, deputies found 24 poodles running loose or in cages. Some of the dogs were near death.

There was no water or food out for the dogs. Throughout the residence, dog feces was found caked on the floor, beds, furnishings and clothing items. The children's shoes were also covered in dog waste.

In the kitchen, there was no clean area for food preparation. The feces odor was so strong, the some of the detectives needed to wear breathing respirators while inside the residence. The residence had no garbage service and garbage was stacked throughout the residence.

In the freezer, among frozen food items, eight deceased poodle puppies were found in plastic bags. Detectives were told that the deceased puppies were placed there until one of the older children could bury them in the backyard.

Additional assistance was received from the Humane Society and Marion County Dog Control who responded to deal with the dogs.

The Marion County Health Department, along with the Marion County Code Enforcement staff posted the residence as "Unfit for Human Habitation" due to the conditions inside.

The parents, Kevin and Sarah Deal, were contacted and taken into custody. The four children were taken into protective custody and released to staff of the Department of Human Services.

The child pornography investigation is continuing.

Thursday afternoon, Kevin & Sarah Deal were booked into the Marion County Jail.

Both were charged with the following: 

• Criminal Mistreatment I (4 counts) $40,000 bail 
• Animal Neglect I (8 counts) $40,000 bail 
• Animal Neglect II (24 counts) $60,000 bail

(Photos courtesy of the Salem Police Department)