SELLERSVILLE, Pa. (WPVI) — Three Bucks County police officers were honored Wednesday night for their role in rescuing seven children living in squalid conditions over the past year.

“This is the perfect example of the lasting impact a police officer can have on a person’s life,” said Paul Dickinson, chief of the Pennridge Regional Police Department.

In April 2023, Officers Mark Rosenfeld and Nick Windfelder of the Pennridge Regional Police responded to a trespassing call at the Green Top Trailer Park in West Rockhill Township.

When they arrived, they found two girls aged 12 and 14.

“The two children we originally met were very skinny and were trying to find a blanket for their pet rat in an abandoned trailer,” Rosenfeld told Action News.

Officials said they then spoke with the girls’ parents, Shane and Crystal Robertson.

Because they felt that something was wrong, Rosenfeld asked to take a look inside their trailer.

“He actually more or less insisted on getting into the trailer. That’s where we saw the padlock and from there we were ultimately able to substantiate our case,” Windfelder said.

Officials described conditions inside as unsanitary and unsafe. They said the refrigerator was padlocked and there was feces on the floor.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office provided pictures of the trailer.

Dickinson said the animals in the house were cared for “while the seven children lived in what was essentially a dilapidated shack, with feces on the floor and a shared mattress.”

When officers returned later that day with the Bucks County Children and Youth Division, the seven children, ranging in age from two to 16, were taken into protective custody.

During their detention, it was discovered that the children were malnourished and did not attend school.

Detective Richard Dean subsequently became involved in the case and Dickinson said he began to look into the family history in depth.

The Robertsons were arrested and charged with child neglect.

Last week they were sentenced to up to 16 years in prison on these charges.

“It’s a good feeling that the children will have a safe life and that the parents have paid for what they did,” Rosenfeld said.

On Wednesday evening, the officers and detectives were recognized for their intuition and dedication. They said they were simply relieved that the seven children were OK.

“We send people to prison all the time. That’s our job. That’s the essence of what we’re used to as police officers,” said Windfelder. “Knowing that you’ve changed the lives of seven children hits you even harder in this profession.”

Officials told Action News that the seven children, who are now safe and sound, live outside of town.

According to the ruling, Shane and Crystal Robertson are not allowed to have any contact with their children until their 18th birthday and only with the consent of a court-appointed therapist.