A daycare worker and her employee have been found guilty of child abuse after hiding 26 children behind a 'false wall' to earn extra money.
Carla Faith, 58, had a licence to care for just six children at Faith's Play Mountain Place day care in Colorado, US.
But authorities swooped after being tipped off in November 2019.
Many of the 'thirsty' children had soiled nappies and were sweaty, gazette.com reported.
One of her employees, Christina Swauger, was also convicted of 26 counts child abuse.
After parents complained of overcrowding at her home, she took action to ensure she could look after more kids.
They found 26 children under the age of three children out of sight.
It is believed that when police arrived she hid the children from view but officers could hear them inside and investigated further.
When they entered the property, they found a 'false wall' which led to the basement.
Faith was found guilty of 26 counts of knowing and reckless child abuse without injury - as well as charges for running a child care facility without a correct license, and attempting to influence a public servant.
Swauger was also convicted by the jury of 26 counts child abuse.
The women could served between three to twelve months in prison.
At El Paso County Combined Courthouse, District Attorney Michael Allen said he had no doubt that the right decision was made by the jury.
"It's all on behalf of every single one of these people here today, they deserve justice - and I think that this gives them a sense of justice," he said.
Defending, Josh Tolini tried to convince the jury the situation was not as bad as it appeared.
He claimed the children were not continually kept in small spaces.
But many of the parents walked out after he said: "They were spread out, fed, got naps, and did arts and crafts. They were loved."
Mum Vanessa Nagel said after the trial: "It's going to take help, for our kids especially, to move on after the trauma that they've gone through."
Faith and Swauger are scheduled for sentencing in October.
