A Lower Hutt couple accused of failing to provide for their children's most basic needs have admitted charges laid against them.
The 25-year-old man and woman, aged 22, who have been granted interim name suppression, appeared in the Wellington District Court on Tuesday.
Each pleaded guilty to four charges of not meeting their legal duty to care for the children.
Four children were taken from the couple in January this year after police visited their home and found that there was no bedding, insufficient food in the house and no formula for the baby.
The children were also suffering from skin conditions, including scabies and lice, and three had to be hospitalised for treatment.
Neighbours said they had only seen food going into the house once, but large amounts of alcohol had been regularly used there.
Judge Bruce Davidson ordered several reports to be prepared for the couple's sentencing, including psychiatric, and alcohol and drug reports.
