INVERNESS, Fla. — Three people were arrested after they were found living with two children and multiple animals in a home filled with feces, urine and garbage, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office reports.
Animal control officers first responded earlier this month to a home on East Watson Street in Inverness.
They arrived to a strong odor of feces and ammonia before coming into contact with 23-year-old Chelsea St. Hilaire. She reportedly told the officers six dogs were living throughout the residence, either in the home or in the enclosed patio.
Once inside the home, officers reported seeing piles of garbage, animal feces, soiled diapers, empty liquor bottles, stacks of dirty dishes, and buckets with mold growing inside them.
"Throughout the entire home, the floor was spongy and caked with feces, and multiple holes were observed in the ceiling," the sheriff's office wrote.
That's when officers say they discovered two kids inside the home, one who was crawling on the ground. Multiple animals and an additional dog were found roaming the house with missing patches of fur, little food, and zero water, according to the sheriff's office.
"The condition of this home was so disgusting that deputies and ACOs could not take a single step without their boot touching feces, urine, or both," Sheriff Mike Prendergast said. "No child or animal should ever have to experience living conditions such as this."
St. Hilaire was arrested and charged with seven counts of animal cruelty along with two other adults in the home, 23-year-old Robert Brooks and 67-year-old Tina Maddox.
The children were removed from the home and the Sheriff's Office said an investigation into their treatment of the children is ongoing.
The seven dogs were brought to Citrus County Animal Services where they were cared for. All are now healthy, with six of the seven dogs either being adopted or fostered.
Citrus County Animal Services Director Colleen Yarbrough reminds the public that options are available if they cannot care for their animals anymore. "If an individual gets in over their head or starts not being able to provide the care, there are resources in the community, including ourselves," said Yarbrough. "There is also the option to rehome a dog."