6 CHILDREN LIVED IN GROW HOUSE

A disturbing sight - six ill-clothed children and mattresses stinking
of urine - greeted police at a Richmond Hill home where they found a
marijuana grow operation.

"Our officers were absolutely disgusted and appalled," Detective
Sergeant Karen Noakes said yesterday. "There were no sheets on the
bed. The mattresses stunk of urine. The place was in complete disarray."

York Region police Chief Armand La Barge said he was disturbed at the
conditions the children, aged 18 months to 15 years, lived in.

In the Monday incident, police seized:

22 marijuana plants.

122 marijuana stems hanging to dry.

25.4 kilograms of dried and packaged marijuana in a
fridge.

A case of .45-calibre ammunition.

Pepper spray.

A locked safe.

Officers came to the house after a silent 911 call by a 9-year-old
boy. A woman and her six children greeted them.

Police said they entered the home after they became concerned about
the safety of the children. "These children are exposed to mould
because of the moisture levels in there," Noakes said.

"Pesticides and fertilizers are sprayed on the plants and there's
nowhere for this air to go because (growers) try to keep heat in.

"You will walk in and suffer from headaches and dizziness. People
living there suffer from upper respiratory problems."

The York Region Children's Aid Society has been notified, and a family
member is looking after the children.

A 36-year-old man and a woman, 35, are charged with possession of a
controlled substance and producing an illegal substance.