Remains found at Pleasant Prairie property fire

Neighbors and close friends are watching and waiting as a long line of firefighters and investigators go in and out of a property that caught fire early Thursday morning.

Residents say it is the White Farm property, belonging to a couple on trial for mistreatment of animals.

The Pleasant Prairie Police Chief confirmed Thursday afternoon the property belongs to David and Paula White.

Both were not present today when a Kenosha County jury convicted them. 

A Kenosha County jury convicted the husband and wife on eleven felony animal mistreatment counts, and two misdemeanor counts of providing improper shelter to animals.

One of the defense attorney said his client did not return his phone calls.

CBS 58 called White's attorney Joe Easton for a comment, but did not hear back.

Police in Pleasant Prairie say that a call came in at 1:22 a.m. about an active house fire.

The house is located near the corner of Russell Road and Russell Avenue in Pleasant Prairie.

The following statement was released by Police Chief David Smetana just before 3 p.m. on Thursday.

\"During the course of the investigation, the remains of two individuals and a dog were located in the house. The remains of the two victims have not yet been identified, and a cause of death has not yet been determined. Because the cause of the fire and the cause of death are still unknown, the scene is being treated by investigating agencies as a crime scene.\"

Paula White and David White were charged animal cruelty resulting in death. 

A criminal complaint says on the morning of April 9, 2013 officers with the Pleasant Prairie Police Department executed a search warrant on the farm owned by the couple. 

A search of two barns on the property revealed a total of 23 lives horses and five dead horses.  

The horses that were alive appeared to be very thing and had sway backs, visible rib cages and protruding hips.

Officers said the stalls were lined with feces and urine on the floor.

At this time, the names of the victims in Thursday morning's fire have not been released.

Investigators also found a deceased dog inside the property.

The cause of death and fire remain under investigation.

The Police Chief told CBS 58 the property is being treated as a crime scene at this time.