CLARKFIELD TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Nine children found living in cages at a Huron County home may have been living that way for three years.

NewsChannel5 obtained the search warrant issued after a social worker visited the home Friday.

Jo Johnson said she observed cages on the first and second floors of the home on St. John Road in Clarksfield Township near Wakeman.

According to the warrant, the parents, Sharon and Mike Gravelle, said that nine of the 11 kids, ages 1 to 15, were frequently caged for their own protection. The children all have special health needs including, autism, Down Syndrome's and HIV.

The cages were 2½ feet high and 3 feet long. The document said the there was no room for the kids to stand up. The cages were built with 2-by-4 wooden planks and chicken wire.

It also said that a large dresser cabinet was blocking two metal and wooden cages that had kids inside at the time of the visit.

Johnson said that there was a strong urine smell coming from the home and there was no bedding inside the cages. They contained small rubber mats for the kids to lie on.

The sheriff described the cages as makeshift cellblocks.

The Gravelles didn't seem to think anything was wrong with their treatment of the kids.

"Basically, the parents thought they were providing for the protection of the children from themselves and from each other," said Huron County's Lt. Randy Sommers. "They thought it was circumstances that warranted the cages at night."

The kids had been homeschooled.

Officials said they are from different counties in northern Ohio.

One of the children was adopted from Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services five years ago. It's unknown where the other children were adopted from.

A Cuyahoga County official said all the proper procedures were followed during that adoption. He also said that records included a note that recommended the Gravelles as a fine family.

No charges have been filed yet. A grand jury is reviewing the case. The parents may face unlawful confinement and child endangerment charges.

The children, which includes a set of twins and siblings, are now in four different foster homes.