Photos show two children found locked in makeshift 'cages' inside California home

MODOC COUNTY, Calif. (KRCR) - Two children were found locked in "cages" inside a Northern California home Friday while officials were serving a search warrant, according to local authorities

According to the Modoc County Sheriff's Office, a search warrant was issued in the 3000 block of C/R 101 in Modoc County late Friday afternoon, with assistance from CHP and the Malin Police Department.

Modoc County Sheriff Tex Dowdy says the search warrant was granted Friday afternoon after a California Patrol Officer (CHP) went to the property to sign off on a correctable citation and found shell casings on the property. After notifying the resident deputy in the area, it was determined that Ramon Alberto Zendejas, 25, was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Sheriff Dowdy said when deputies and officers went to the home to serve the search warrant, they were not aware of the possibility that children were inside.

Deputies said they discovered at the home three firearms, ammunition, evidence of a butane honey oil lab, suspected methamphetamine and two small children. The approximately 22-month-old twin boys were found in two separate modified cribs that were stacked on top of one another and secured to the wall "like dog crates," according to law enforcement.

Officials say Zendejas and his girlfriend Mercadies Irene Williams, 25, were arrested for child endangerment, possession of a controlled substance, manufacturing a controlled substance and weapons charges.

"I suspect it was a way to keep [the children] away from the other items that were located within the residence," said Sheriff William "Tex" Dowdy, when asked about the reported living conditions.

Both suspects are being held on $10,000 bail.