Edmonton police have charged two women with attempted murder in an abuse investigation involving five children under the age of 10.
After receiving a tip from a babysitter last month, police said they checked a house in the city and found the children in a "shocking environment and physical state."
All of the kids needed medical attention, including two who were admitted to hospital with serious injuries.
Sgt. Aubrey Zalaski praised the babysitter who called police out of concern for the children.
"Her actions are to be commended and we are so grateful that she did the right thing," Zalaski said Wednesday. "We don't know how much worse things might have gotten had she not made a report."
Police arrested two women who are known to the children and who were responsible for their care.
The women, age 23 and 24, also each face other charges including aggravated assault, abandonment of a child, unlawful confinement and criminal negligence.
The 23-year-old is also charged with assault with a weapon and the 24-year-old with duty to provide necessities of life.
Zalaski said all of the children are recovering and the two children who were treated for serious injuries have been released from hospital.
"All five children have been placed in safe living environments and have received an immense amount of love and support from a variety of people," he said.
Police continue to investigate and are monitoring threats made against the two suspects on social media.
Zalaski warned people not to take vigilante action against the women.
"We are concerned about some of the comments we have seen," he said.
"Although people may have anger and frustration, it is not acceptable to move into retribution or any type of criminal activity."
