A Stafford mom and dad face child-endangerment counts - and police are taking up a collection on behalf of their four youngsters.

Ian Schwester, 41, and Christina Bicki, 36, were charged this week with one count for each of the children. Authorities say that they let the house degenerate into "deplorable" condition while they sold heroin inside and used the drug with their children in view.

According to reports, a check of the couple's year-old daughter last month found the toddler safe with her grandfather in the house, but also revealed drug items, dirty clothes and garbage strewn about and spoiled food in the refrigerator.

The parents were placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River while the youngster, her eight-year-old brother and 11- and 14-year-old sisters were transferred to the the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, police said.

The union representing the Stafford Police rank-and-file are collecting gift cards to help feed and clothe the children. They can be brought to headquarters on East Bay Avenue or sent to Stafford PBA Local 297, Post Office Box 746, Manahawkin, NJ 08050.

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