MEIGS COUNTY, Ohio (WSAZ) -- A father and daughter are charged with operating a meth lab, and they weren't alone.

Deputies say a 4-year-old boy was in the home where meth was being made.

51-year-old David Dillard is charged with possession of an illegal substance and illegal manufacturing in the presence of a minor.

His 29-year-old daughter Emily Dillard is also charged with manufacturing meth in the presence of a minor.

Monday afternoon deputies in Meigs County say they found the Dillards cooking the family recipe at their home just outside Pomeroy.

Emily's 4-year-old son was also present.

"Chemicals can cause and explosion,” Sgt. Dan Leonard said. “The gases they produce can kill the child. If they breathe it in their lungs, it can kill them instantly."

The Dillards live directly across from Calvary Pilgrim Chapel Church.

The pastor's wife Tammy McKenzie says she suspected something suspicious was going on with the Dillards, because a bunch of different cars would often park in the church parking lot at odd hours. She says they'd walk across Route 143 to the Dillards’, then leave quickly.

"At times it was a bigger rush, like a shipment had been made," she said.

McKenzie says it's a real shame because the answer to the Dillards' problems was right across from them.

"We've invited them to church,” she said. “Jesus would be the answer to them."

The 4-year-old was taken in by Child Protective Services.

"Your heart does go out to children in bad situations," McKenzie said.

Emily Dillard is also facing a probation violation charge from when she’d been charged with selling drugs earlier in the presence of her son, Sgt. Leonard said.

Meigs County Sheriff Robert Beegle says they're still looking for two people who were reportedly at the Dillard house Tuesday night.

Sgt. Chris Gill with the Gallia County Sheriff’s Department and Officer Ricky Smith with the Middleport Police Department were also on the scene Wednesday to assist Meigs deputies in clearing the site, Sgt. Leonard told WSAZ.com.

The Pomeroy Fire Department was on the scene in case the chemicals caused an explosion.