Nine-year-old girl found living in backyard shed with guns, drugs; eight arrested



LAKESIDE, California -- A nine-year-old girl and her father were found living in a small backyard shed containing guns and drugs on Thursday, April 7th in Lakeside, California, authorities said.

A man, whose name was not released, was arrested Thursday morning along with five other men and two women at a home in the 12700 block of Lindo Lane, according to sheriff's officials.

San Diego County Sheriff's deputies had been conducting a probation-compliance check near Lindo Lake County Park.

The group was expected to face various criminal charges, including felony child endangerment, being felons in possession of a firearm, possession of methamphetamine and heroin, and probation violations, Sgt. Mike McNeill said.

Along with the man and child, a woman also was living in the outbuilding, which was not outfitted to be a livable dwelling.

"There were no (sanitary) facilities in the shed, and it was uninhabitable,'' the sergeant said.

Deputies searching the small structure found a shotgun, a .22-caliber rifle and 8.1 grams of methamphetamine, according to McNeill.

A Child Protective Services worker took the youngster into protective custody.