The Associated Press
Wednesday, May 30, 2001; 2:02 p.m. EDT

SANDPOINT, Idaho –– Six children, believed to be armed, refused to leave their rural home and instead released a pack of dogs on sheriff's deputies who had arrested their mother, authorities said.

Deputies retreated from the house after a two-hour standoff Tuesday and were pondering their next move Wednesday.

"I told them, 'We're just going to defuse it, we're leaving,'" Sheriff Phil Jarvis said. "I'm not going to get into a Randy Weaver thing."

In 1992, at nearby Ruby Ridge, the wife and son of white separatist Randy Weaver were killed during a standoff with federal agents.

The children, ranging in ages from 8 to 16, would not respond to calls from social workers or law enforcement officers. A 19-year-old sister who left home has been assisting authorities.

"We know there are six children in there and guns in the house. The kids are trained to use the guns," Jarvis said.

More than 20 dogs have been running free at the scene, Jarvis said.

"They hunt. They pack like wild animals," Jarvis said. "They took down a moose a little while ago."

The home lacks power, water and heat. The children are in the care of their 16-year-old sister, Jarvis said.

The incident was triggered by Tuesday's arrest of the children's mother, Joann McGuckin, on a warrant charging felony injury to a child.

Authorities believe McGuckin, 46, is mentally ill. Her husband died more than a week ago, Jarvis said.

Deputies returned to the home to get the children and put them in the state custody, but one of the boys ran to the house and yelled, "'Get the guns,'" Jarvis said. "They let all the dogs out of the basement."