Ohio state authorities arrested four adults after finding 16 children living in conditions they described as extreme inside a rural home in the town of Hamden, a small community located southeast of Columbus.

The operation was carried out on Tuesday by state investigation agents and local authorities, who entered the property after executing a court order. At the scene they found minors - between 1 and 18 years old - who, according to authorities, required immediate medical attention, AP reported.

Two of the children had to be airlifted to level one trauma centers due to the severity of their injuries.

Those arrested were identified as Gary Siders Jr., Gary Siders Sr., Christina Siders and Elizabeth Siders. All face charges of child endangerment, a second-degree felony under state law due to severe physical harm.

During a press conference, the Ohio attorney general described the scenario found by investigators as one of the most shocking of his career.

“Conditions that one cannot even imagine for a person to live in, much less children,” he said. He later described what he observed as “pure evil.”

Authorities have not confirmed whether the minors have family ties to each other nor have they detailed the exact relationship with the arrested adults. They also ruled out, for now, that the case is related to human trafficking.

According to investigators, there are indications that the adults were not regular residents of the area and were apparently moving between different places.

The county prosecutor's office indicated that the accusation is based on the seriousness of the physical condition in which several of the minors were found.

The case remains under investigation and authorities were executing a second search warrant at the property to determine if there are other possible associated crimes.

The four accused must appear in court while the investigations continue.

“Justice will be done for these children,” state authorities stated.