Cops have rescued eight hungry children locked up and left inside their home.

Seven children, aged between 3 and 7, were found locked inside the property in the Brazilian city of Macapa on 4th June.

Also present was a 13-year-old girl, who is the sister of the seven children’s two mothers. She had been told to look after them and lie about her age if anybody asked by claiming she was 17.

The children had been locked inside the house without adult supervision by their mothers, who also live in the property, and they were found hungry, dehydrated, dirty and unclothed.

They also had the flu, signs of anaemia and wounds on their bodies. According to the child protective services, one of the boys has autism, and they are all now receiving medical treatment.

According to the officials who went to the house and rescued the youngsters, the property was dirty and there was no running water, drinking water, food, cooker or fridge inside.

Officials from the police and the child protective services said they first went to the house after receiving anonymous tip-offs about the children’s plight.

Locals had to help them to cut through a metal gate to gain access to the youngsters, who were subsequently taken into care.

The 13-year-old girl informed the officials that her two older sisters were the respective mothers of the seven siblings: one of three children and the other of four.

The officials did not manage to locate the women at first. However, the two women subsequently contacted the child protective services to get their children back.

They were only able to present documentation for two of the minors

The child protective services had also tried to locate the children’s fathers and grandparents. However, they were also deemed unfit to take the youngsters, who currently remain in care.

The police are investigating the case.