T-L Photo/CARRI GRAHAM Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas announces the arrests of four individuals on charges ranging from child endangerment to failure to register as a sex offender.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas announced the arrest of four individuals on a variety of charges involving child neglect on Friday.

Lucas said officers received a welfare check request that led them to a house on Wabash Street in Bridgeport around 9 a.m. Thursday.

“Sgt. Jordan Blumling and one of his deputies responded to the house. From the initial investigation, garbage was piled up outside the entryway, and also the smell and the stench from the entryway. They initially started investigation and then knew to call Children Services in,” the sheriff said.

Two women and two men were arrested, and four children were removed from the home. The charges against the adults range from child endangerment to failure to register as a sex offender.

“There was four children, aged 1 to 7 years old, that was removed from the residence and immediately taken to the hospital for medical treatment and care,” Lucas said.

Lucas added that due to unhealthy living conditions and the extent of the children’s injuries, they were immediately taken to a hospital.

“They will be treated,” he said.

The children were covered from head to toe in unknown lesions and sores, he said, adding that officers were unsure of the cause of the lesions and speculated they might have resulted from bug bites that became infected.

“Look at the adults compared to the children,” he added.

The mother of the children, Ashley Rebecca Marino, 29, and another woman, Rona Beth Briggs, 20, both were arrested and charged with endangering children and obstructing justice. Both women were lodged in the Belmont County Jail, each in lieu of $2,000 bond.

Dylan Bryan Baird, 25, was arrested and charged with being a fugitive from justice. A warrant for his arrest had been issued in Jefferson County. Lucas said Friday that Baird remains in the Jefferson County Jail with no bond.

Franklin Joseph Reed, 28, a Tier III sex offender, is charged with failure to register as a sex offender, theft, driving under suspension, unauthorized use of a vehicle and having a weapon under disability. He was being held Friday on a $16,500 bond at the Belmont County Jail. Lucas said Reed failed to register his new address with the state registry.

The residence was in deplorable condition, Lucas said. The house was filthy, garbage was piled up, there was a lack of food, and there were insects and signs of illegal drug use present, he said. Investigating officers reportedly found drug paraphernalia inside the home.

“The deputies took immediate action. The Children Services agents, their care and concern for the kids took care of the custody,” Lucas said.

“Just another sad case of people who’s got kids and not making (it a) priority to take care of the kids and, to me, I know I don’t and all my deputies we don’t care who you are,” Lucas said. “If you don’t take care of your kids, we’re going to take your kids and we’re going to make sure they are taken care of. And if so, we’re going to put you in jail.”

There is nothing more valuable in life than our children, Lucas added while commending the investigators.

“They did a terrific job. These cases are very hard, but they took immediate, swift action, and the kids will be safe and they will be taken care of,” he said.