WAYNE COUNTY — A Fairfield couple is behind bars today and two children in protective custody after a police search warrant revealed an active meth lab in their home.

According to police, 24-year-old Jacob Fenton and 20-year-old Ashley Powers, both of Fairfield, were arrested for alleged manufacture of methamphetamine, meth-related child endangerment, unlawful disposal of meth waste and possession of meth.

They were taken to the Wayne County Jail where they remain awaiting the formal filing of charges and the setting of bail.

Wayne County Sheriff’s deputies report the recovered from inside the home chemicals used in the manufacture of meth, and a “still smoldering” meth lab in the back yard of the home that is in the Fairfield Public Housing program.

The Illinois State Police Meth Response Team was called to the home to dispose of the chemicals and waste found at the home.

The Department of Children and Family Services took the couple’s 2-month-old and 2-year-old children into protective custody.