A Monroe County couple has been charged with endangering their children, and also cruelty to animals.

Amanda Aulito, 33, and Kevin Connolly, 39, both of Hamilton Township, were charged Monday with the endangerment of two minor children and cruelty to animals.

The investigation began when detectives with the Monroe County Drug Task Force went to the residence on Colt Lane to attempt to make contact with Aulito for an unrelated reason.

When detectives approached the residence, they could smell a foul odor coming from the home. Detectives heard several dogs barking inside and noticed that there was large amounts of debris outside the residence.

Detectives contacted Monroe County Children and Youth Services and the ASPCA for assistance.

When questioned outside him home, Connolly initially lied to police, saying that his two minor children were not home, then asked to go back inside to retrieve his cellphone.

Connolly went inside and tried to remove his 9-year-old daughter from the home by having her climb over a pile of garbage and debris wearing flip-flops.

Connolly said that his 14-year-old son was at a friend’s house. However, while police were still at the residence, the 14-year-old walked out of the front door.

Aulito, the mother of the two children, arrived home to find Connolly in handcuffs. Aulito was also taken into custody for endangering the welfare of her children because of the deplorable condition of the home.

Connolly and Aulito consented to a search of their home. Detectives found the house to be in unlivable, noting there was no edible food for the children or dogs in the home.

Connolly and Aulito have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, animal cruelty, recklessly endangering another person, obstructing administration of law or other governmental function, hindering apprehension or prosecution, and conspiracy.

Connolly and Aulito were arraigned by Magisterial District Judge Brian Germano. They are being held at the Monroe County Correctional Facility in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Anyone with additional information regarding Aulito or Connolly are asked to contact Detective Kim Lippincott via email at klippincott@monroecountypa.gov.