Police in southwest Kansas have taken three young children into protective custody and arrested their parents on drug and abuse charges. 

Officers responded Saturday to a hangup 911 call in the 200 block of West Pancake in Liberal. They learned a 27-year-old woman had been in an argument with her 34-year-old husband who had left the scene.

"While talking to her, the officers noticed that she appeared to under the influence of methamphetamine," said Capt. Robert Rogers with the Liberal Police Department. "The room was in complete disarray."

There were three children, ages 5, 3 and 1 in the room with the woman. Rogers said they were not being taken care of and there were syringes and meth "within easy reach." The only food available was a box of crackers and dry cereal. 

The children were taken into protective custody and to a local hospital for treatment. One of the children tested positive for methamphetamine. 

The woman was arrested for possession of meth and paraphernalia, aggravated child endangerment and child abuse. The man was later arrested and faces the same charges.

Capt. Rogers confirmed the man and woman are the children's parents. He did not release their names.

The female was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, aggravated endangering a child and child abuse.  The male was later located and arrested as well.  He faces the same charges.  An affidavit was forwarded to the Seward County Attorney's Office seeking formal charges.