A starving seven-year-old boy has been found trying to sell his teddy bear to buy food.

The youngster was found standing outside a chemist in Franklin, Ohio attempting to sell his bear to passers-by.

"He told me he was trying to sell his stuffed animal to get money for food because he hadn't eaten in several days - it broke my heart," officer Steve Dunham told NBC News.

Mr Dunham took the child to a branch of Subway to buy him a sandwich before taking him back to the police station.

Two of Mr Dunham's colleagues went to the boy's house where they were greeted by scenes of squalor and parents who did not even realise that the youngest of their five boys had disappeared.

The house was covered in rubbish, alcohol bottles, cat and human urine and cockroaches.

The parents have been charged with 10 counts of child endangerment.

The boy and his siblings, aged 11, 12, 15 and 17, have been removed from their home and sent to live with family members.

Their parents have been ordered to have no contact with them.