Five children were rescued from an Iowa home after their mother's boyfriend locked them inside a room for 24 hours without food or any access to a bathroom, police reported on Monday.

The children, aged between 3 to 9 years old, were taken from their home in 220 Olive St. in Westgate on September 19 after authorities received reports of a domestic disturbance in the area.

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According to responding law enforcement officers, the children were crying and yelling when they arrived at the house. The noises made by the trapped kids revealed to authorities that they were locked inside a room in the house for a whole day by 28-year-old Joshua Steinbronn, who refused to give them food and access to a restroom.

After initial investigations, authorities found out that Steinbronn have repeatedly done this in the past. He had even reportedly forced the children to urinate in cups or on the floor when he had them locked up for a long time.

The children's mother, 29-year-old Jonya Smith, defended her boyfriend explaining that the allegations were false. She claimed that Steinbronn only locked the kids in the bedroom for naps and discipline, but has never done so for 24 hours.

"He's not a bad person. I have five uncontrollable kids. When it's time for a nap or something, they don't listen to me. At least he enforces respect," she stated.

She also explained that the domestic disturbance report was due to her and Steinbronn's loud argument.

Officers are still looking into the mother's involvement in the alleged mistreatment as she was not allowed near the children when they were questioned.

Meanwhile, Steinbronn has been temporarily freed on an unsecured $5,000 bond after being charged five counts of false imprisonment and five counts of child endangerment.

He was also booked for possession of drug paraphernalia after responding officers found a glass tube and a weighing scale that have both tested positive for methamphetamine.

TagsIowa, Fayette County, drug, locked up, 24 Hours