Robert Horsfall, 21, and Maegan McCleary, 19, said they found the rat at a creek and put it in a cage in their bedroom, the Oregonian, a Portland, Ore., newspaper, reported. The animal got out during the night and repeatedly attacked the child, police said.

The couple has been jailed on criminal mistreatment charges.

A second child at the home has been placed in foster care, police told the newspaper.