10 KIDS TAKEN BY COPS SUSPECTED DRUG HOUSE IS RAIDED.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - Sheriff's investigators took 10 children ages 2 to 17 into protective custody after raiding a home that is believed to have been a ``safe house'' for drug users.

The home's floor was covered with dirty clothes, dishes and debris, deputies said.

``When deputies served the search warrant and entered the house, they found 10 children living in ankle-deep clutter and appalling filth,'' a Lancaster sheriff's station statement said.

Two women, whose names were not released, were arrested at the home in the 700 block of West Avenue H-12, which investigators said they concluded was a place where people could buy and use drugs.

One woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of methamphetamine for sale and child endangerment. The second woman was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and maintaining a house where controlled substances are furnished or used.

Deputies from the Lancaster Community Appreciation Program, which focuses on crime in rental housing, and the Target-Oriented Police/Special Investigation Detail secured a search warrant after hearing neighbors' complaints. They searched the home Thursday afternoon.

Two dogs were taken by Los Angeles County Animal Control.

Both women were taken to the Lancaster sheriff's station jail, where they were being held.