Group of children praised after making chilling discovery inside abandoned house

Authorities are appealing for information after a group of children made an eerie discovery inside an abandoned house.

You know in horror films where a character hears a noise and instead of running straight out the door or calling the police, they go downstairs to investigate? Well, this is one of those moments.

If you have a weird love of horror and would bound into an abandoned house on a dare rather than give it a wide berth, then take this as a warning.

On July 11, the Highlands County Sheriff's Office took to Facebook to share a press release, revealing a group of children were 'playing inside' an 'abandoned home on Memorial Drive in Avon Park' in central Florida when they made a startling discovery.

"[The children] discovered skeletal remains inside the home Thursday afternoon and reported it to a nearby adult, who called deputies," the report stated.

Upon visiting the property, officials discovered the remains appeared 'to have been inside the home for well over a year' and they believe the person 'was using the house as a shelter'.

The report added: "Detectives are working to positively identify the person and the medical examiner will attempt to determine a cause of death."

And it's not taken long for people to weigh in on the post, with the responses very much divided.

The children found 'skeletal remains' inside the abandoned house. (Facebook/ Highlands County Sheriff's Office - Sheriff Paul Blackman)

One Facebook user wrote: "I certainly feel for the children (scary for them), parents of the children, the lost soul and their loved ones. May they all find peace and healing."

Another added: "Scary for those kids. But least they told someone they couldn't have an this person could have never gotten discovered. Hopefully it can bring closure to a family of this person."

However, others were more critical of the children going to play in the abandoned house in the first place.

One user wrote: "Why the world were children playing in an abandoned structure ? where were the parents??"

"Why were children playing in there? Looks very unsafe and a place for bad things to be taken place. Abandoned houses are often used as drug houses. Just a scary place to imagine allowing your children to play. I’m sorry for the person that was found deceased," a second chimed.

A spokesperson for Highlands County Sheriff's Office told UNILAD there has been 'progress' in identifying the person but it will be 'several weeks' before a 'positive identification' can be made.

They added a reminder to parents to 'tell their kids that playing in abandoned buildings can be dangerous'.

They revealed: "In addition to what the kids found, there is a massive bee hive in the walls of that home. If the children had disturbed that hive, it could have turned into a dangerous situation, especially if one of the kids was allergic."

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is asked to call 863-402-7250 or email [email protected].

If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.