LAKEVIEW, Ore. -- An Oregon man accused of operating a tattoo facility without a license was cited by health officials Thursday.

Authorities began to investigate after the man's girlfriend sought treatment for a bacterial infection that can be severe and even potentially fatal.

State officials said they found five custom tattoo machines, about 30 bottles of ink, hundreds of new and used tattoo needles and several thousand dollars worth of items that were allegedly stolen from a local hospital.

Tools, equipment and other items were seized from the home, located in the southern Oregon town of Lakeview. Officials said lab results showed the presence of staphylococcus aureus on the equipment and the tattoo link.

The man was cited $5,000. Tim Molloy, the operations manager at the Oregon Health Licensing Agency, said his agency handed down the maximum fine because a 3-year-old who had access to used needles and unsterilized tools was present at the home.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office is still investigating.