Three people are under arrest after two young girls were found in motel rooms with adult men in Walker County.

The girls were under the age of 16 and had been driven to the motel by the mother of one of the girls who also had rented at least one of the rooms, authorities said.

The investigation began Monday afternoon when the Walker County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at the undisclosed motel. The caller, a concerned family member, said she believed there was an underage female in a room with an adult male.

Patrol deputies, along with Walker County Sheriff Nick Smith, responded to the scene.

The girls were found in separate rooms, each one with an adult male. The ages of the girls are not being released.

Because of their ages, the Walker County Department of Human Resources was notified, and also responded to the scene.

Both adult males had outstanding warrants with the Jasper Police Department and were taken into custody.

Authorities determined that a parent of one of the girls drove the girl to the motel, rented the room, then left the child unattended at some point.

That parent was also taken into custody and charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Sheriff’s officials are not releasing the woman’s name to keep the juvenile girls’ identities confidential.

“Our children are our greatest asset in Walker County, and the Walker County Sheriff’s Office will protect them above all,’’ Smith said. “This is a very heartbreaking situation and thinking about this entire situation will make anyone physically sick—especially another parent.”

“The amount of trauma and mental anguish that these girls have and will endure in the future is troubling to say the least,’’ the sheriff said. “Our office, along with DHR and the Walker County District Attorney’s Office will be making every effort and diligent in seeking justice to the fullest extent of the law.”