Palatka, Fla. (WFLA) – A Florida mother has been arrested for leaving her teenage son and seven dogs in “depressing living conditions.”
Deputies said a family member living in another state called them Monday evening to ask if they would check out the teenagers who live in the Sombard Rain home in Palatka.
When deputies arrived at the house, they said that before 37-year-old Jessica Copeland came home from the trip, a man outside said he was “cleaning.”
According to the sheriff’s office, a teenager who lives in the house came out and said there were no issues with deputies and everything went well.
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Later that day, another family member called deputies and told them there was a video showing that he was abused by a dog inside a house in Songbird Lane.
Investigators say they met with their families and he showed them videos of some weakened dogs.
He also told them he believes there is no running water or food in the house.
The deputies returned home with the sheriff’s office agricultural detective.
When the teenagers let them inside, deputies said they saw “depressing living conditions” that included layers of animal feces, littered with garbage and debris on the floor, and some debilitated dogs.
The teen told deputies that Copeland left the house two weeks ago to go on holiday in Las Vegas, and that different people would come to the house to check him out and bring food.
“When asked how long this condition lasts this way, the teen replied, “for years.” Because Copeland kept it that way and refused to clean it,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.
Copeland returned from vacation Tuesday morning, but an animal control officer had taken the dog from the house.
“She is currently on long leave at Putnam County Jail,” the sheriff’s office said.
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“The despair in this situation is heartbreaking and infuriating,” said HD Sheriff “Gator” DeLoch. “My mother made the conscious choice to abandon her child in a house riding on filth surrounded by the stench smell of animal feces and the suffering of neglected animals.
Copeland was charged with negligence of a child and negligence of a animal.
“Let me be clear, our community does not tolerate this level of selfish neglect for human and animal life. She now has time to reflect,” Derocci said.
The dog surrendered to Putnam County Animal Services. Once healed, he will be able to adopt.
