CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Clearlake couple were arrested Monday on allegations of child cruelty after police found them and their three children to be living in unsafe conditions.

John Michael Anderson and Melissa Anne Ryan, both age 27, were arrested after police were dispatched to their home on a report of a disturbance, according to Clearlake Police Sgt. Nick Bennett.

Just before 12:30 p.m. Monday Officer Tyler Paulsen responded to the home on Bowers Road, finding three people involved in an argument in front of the residence when he arrived, Bennett said.

Paulsen interviewed the three people and learned that one of them had possibly been assaulted with a shovel prior to his arrival, according to Bennett's report.

Bennett said Officer Alan Collier had responded as a cover officer and conducted a protective sweep of the residence, making sure there were no injured persons inside.

After the parties had calmed down, Officer Collier advised Officer Paulsen that the living conditions inside the residence were, according to Bennett's report, “horrendous.”

Officer Paulsen, having prior knowledge that children resided at the home, then began an investigation into the welfare of the children who were on the scene and others who lived there based on the living conditions at the residence, Bennett said.

Bennett said a visual search of the residence indicated there was garbage strewn throughout the home, dirty clothing in every room, open alcohol containers, broken glass on the floors and beds, filthy bedding where the children slept, dangerous sharp tools in the house within reach of toddlers, an older tube style television with a shattered front glass screen on the floor, and spoiling and moldy food in the kitchen, Bennett said.

Anderson and Ryan were arrested and transported to the Lake County Jail, where they were booked, Bennett said.

Jail records showed that bail for each was set at $75,000. Both remained in custody on Tuesday evening.

Bennett said the three children – who range in age from 6 months to 10 years – were released to the custody of Lake County Child Protective Services.