FROSTPROOF, Fla — A Polk County elementary school teacher is facing charges after investigators say they found more than 300 animals living in deplorable conditions in her home.
“Words can't adequately describe [the condition]," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said during a news conference Friday.
Deputies say they discovered 142 sickly cats, more than 160 chickens, ducks and other birds, some stacked several cages high, while performing a welfare check at a Frostproof mobile home Thursday.
“Understand they're living in this mobile home with feces all over the place, urine up and down the wall,” Judd explained.
Investigators say the smell of ammonia inside was toxic, immediately causing burning and irritation to the eyes, nose and throat.
Living among the squalor was 48-year-old Lisa Lacharite, a second-grade teacher at Ben Hill Griffin Elementary School and her 75-year-old mom.
“This 75-year-old lady who was an invalid and couldn't get around on her own, lived in this all the time” Judd added.
The sheriff says they were first tipped off by the SPCA after Lacharite brought in 22 cats in “extremely poor condition” to be spayed and neutered.
“She made a comment that the ones still at her property are in way worse condition, which clearly made us realize we need to get animal control involved,” Randa Richter with SPCA of Florida said.
Lacharite was arrested on five counts of felony animal cruelty, 304 counts of animal neglect and one count of elder neglect. Her mother was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
The investigation is ongoing; Judd says more charges will likely follow.
“It's important to point out that Lisa is not an evil person. She is an overwhelmed cat lady — she clearly violated the law,” Judd added.
The sheriff says he reported the case to the Polk County School Board as well. 10 Tampa Bay reached out for comment from the district on how this may impact her job and is waiting to hear back.
“Apparently her physical condition while she was at work teaching second graders, because as it was explained to me, she smelled horrendous all the time. And quite frankly when you live in that environment, you can't get clean,” Judd said.
The chickens and fowl seized by the sheriff’s office will be offered at a local auction Friday night. The 142 cats are being treated at the Polk County Animal Shelter.
The sheriff says the seizure nearly doubled their existing animal population at the shelter and he’s encouraging families to go there and adopt a cat or dog who’s ready for a new home. They are waiving adoption fees through the end of the year.